COUNCILLORS of the Regional Democratic Council (Region 10) are imploring the Chinese bauxite company Bosai operating in Linden to commence dredging of the river as was done before, during the tenure of Linmine.The Councillors suggested that Bosai should be responsible for dredging the river as their ships often pass through to collect bauxite. The river has not been dredged in a while and this has resulted in it becoming shallow and narrower with the sand beaches extending to the center of the river.

Councillor Charles Sampson indicated that the current state of the river was not the way it was before Bosai started operations and this needed to change as it is now hazardous. As a result of this, the councillor revealed that small boats are stuck at the basin of the river close to the bridge.

He revealed that years ago that same basin was used as a turning point for huge ships coming to uplift bauxite from the aluminum plant, and with the current state of the river even the smaller ships cannot turn, since the turning point has become very narrow. “Bosai needs to step up its act…we gotta insist that they dredge the river,” exclaimed the Councillor.

He also claimed to observe the bauxite ships leaning at the dry loader when the tide is low due to the unevenness of the river. Regional Chairman Renis Morian revealed that the state of the river had resulted in a boat accident last February, involving army troops who were journeying to Malali – an Indigenous community 50 miles up the Demerara River from Linden.

Though the accident wasn’t fatal, it remains an issue of concern for residents residing in the Amerindian communities up the river, who use boats as their main transportation source.

The Chairman promised the council to engage Bosai on the issue and to also notify the Maritime Association on the current state of the river.

The process of dredging involves the removal of sediment and debris from the bottom of lakes, rivers, harbours and other water bodies. It is a routine necessity in waterways because sedimentation — the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream — gradually fills channels and harbors. This can result in the river becoming very shallow as is the case of the Demerara River passing through Linden.