CONSTRUCTION of the $431 M drainage sluice at D’Edward on the West Bank of Berbice is expected to be completed by December 28th.

The sluice, which will be managed by the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), will, on completion, provide drainage to over 16,000 acres of low-lying agricultural and residential lands between the Berbice and Abary rivers.
The sluice is located a few hundred feet west of the Berbice River Bridge and is being constructed by Courtney Benn Construction Services Limited (CBCSL). E&A Consultants Incorporated is supervising the works. General Manager of the MMA/ADA, Mr. Aubrey Charles, said on Friday last that the December 28th deadline is a revised time for completion and he was advised that the structure was, last weekend, 79% complete and that the contractor was on schedule for completion at the revised date.
Site Foreman attached to the CBCSL, Mr. Rishie Humphrey, said that the project was being done in compliance with the new schedule. The floor, with installation of the concrete slabs and piles , the inlet/ outlet and wing walls , the gantry columns and the gantry bridge were 100% complete.
By last week Wednesday, the desilting of the façade drain approach to the sluice was 96% complete, and a Wave Breaker on the seaward side 45% complete. Erosion protection on the seaward side of the sluice is imminent and the opening of the channel for the outflow will follow to complete the works, Humphrey said. The project started late 2017 following the release of the funds by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture in order to relieve the effects of inundations on the West Coast of Berbice and open up additional lands in the area for agriculture.