–as part of elaborate plan to upgrade the city’s sea defences

By Wendella Davidson

THE rehabilitation and upgrade of the Georgetown Seawall and repairs to the infrastructure of the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings are included in a 55M pounds sterling project being funded under a United Kingdom grant.

On Sunday, visitors to the Georgetown Seawall, in the vicinity of the Bandstand, had the opportunity of viewing a draft of the infrastructure development plan for the coastal frontage, ask questions, and offer their own ideas of how it should be done.
The importance of upgrading the coastal defence has been identified by the Government of Guyana, and provides possible solutions to enhance the communities therein and upgrade the coastal defence.

The coastal frontage extends from Fort Groyne in Kingston, all the way to the Ogle Outfall on the lower East Coast, and according to the proposed works, it has been divided into three zones, with ‘Zone A’ being from Fort Groyne to Kitty; ‘Zone B’ from the Kitty Pump to Liliendaal; and ‘Zone C’ from Liliendaal to Ogle.

Among the several solutions that have been proposed for the enhancement of the coastal defence are establishing a terminal rock groyne between Fort Groyne and the Bandstand; increasing and maintaining the width of the beach; establishing a rock revetment with beach access step along a significant length of the frontage for protection against coastal erosion; upgrading a wide section of the promenade at the top and behind the seawall, thereby making it ideal for recreational activities; along with landscaping the land-side of the seawall to allow for designated vending areas.

Peter Phipps, Caribbean Regional Representative of the UK-based Mott MacDonald House, a multi-disciplinary consultancy organisation and team leader for the local project, told the Guyana Chronicle that the funding has been provided for Guyana to invest in infrastructural projects.

According to him, the rehabilitation and reconfiguration of the city’s sea defences is necessary to meet the challenges associated with climate change and sea level rise in order to help to manage the risk to Georgetown.
The project also seeks to enhance the environmental and social setting by providing better facilities to the people of Georgetown, and other visitors from the different communities and internationally.

He noted that prior to Sunday’s first engagement with the public to garner their views, discussions have been held with key officials at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI), the implementing agency here; the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD); and the Mayor City Council (M&CC).

STELLING VISITS
Last week, visits were also conducted at the Georgetown and Vreed-en-Hoop Stellings and the Stabroek Market Wharf for a first-hand view of the condition of the infrastructure there. Commenting on the condition of the infrastructure, Phipps said they are in a deplorable condition, and will be demolished, including the Stabroek Market Wharf.
Alluding to the rehabilitation works, Phipps said the aim is to improve the access of commuters to the water taxis, and that the idea is to allow commuters to gain access to at least six crafts simultaneously, by way of a floating pontoon, as it has been observed that an increasing number of people now use the facility on a daily basis.
The project is presently in the design development feasibility stage, and this aspect should be concluded by March or April next year to allow for the start of the procurement process to enable a contractor to come on board.

There will, however, be a formal public consultation process around the planning stage and before the final designs are completed.
Asked about the public’s perception of the proposed works, Phipps said he is enthused that people understand that some sort of work needs to be done. They have been very open about providing their own ideas about different things, including how the place should look on completion, and what security should look like. He said that having the public complete questionaires are all part of the public consultation plan.

BUILDING SMARTER
With the current performance of the structures and the problem of rising sea level and lots of flooding in many different parts around the world, the idea is not just building higher, but building smarter.

Phipps disclosed that his company is also involved with the MoPI in the upgrade of the Linden to Lethem Highway, through the Mabura Hills section, and with the bridge crossing at Kurupukari. He said that it is another of the projects that comes under the Caribbean Infrastructure Fund/UK government grant. The monies, he said, is being channeled through the Caribbean Development Bank, so it is focusing on infrastructure.