AS Guyana continues to face threats of global warming and rising sea levels, the government has allocated a total of $5.1 billion to further strengthen the country’s sea and river defence infrastructure.
“Earmarked for this year is the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of sea and river defence infrastructure in areas including Dantzig, Prospect, Content, Fairfield, Zealand, Cane Garden, Uitvlugt, Anna Catherina, No. 63 Beach, Manila, and Bygeval,” said Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance.

During his presentation of the National 2021 Budget, Dr. Singh said the consequences of climate change, “including rising sea levels, on Guyana’s sea and river defence infrastructure can have devastating impact on Guyana’s economy since most of its inhabitants are on the low- lying coastal plain”.

The minister made specific reference to the fragility of the Dantzig, Mahaicony sea defences, which recently suffered a massive breach that devastated residents, particularly the farming community, which suffered loss to property, livestock and farming activities.

“Mr. Speaker, government continues to keep close monitoring of our shore line, by reactivating the sea defence rangers, applying drone technology to monitor shore line movement and the erosion and accretion cycle, intensifying routine maintenance, and deploying stockpiles of armour rocks to strategic locations, to ensure that quick response mechanisms are in place to avert breaches,” Singh indicated.

Additionally, a sum of $50 million has been budgeted to construct geotextile rubble groynes, and to conduct topographic surveys.

“Mr. Speaker, as we continue to make strident steps to protect our vulnerable shoreline, we have found that existing conventional hard-infrastructure solutions are expensive and are not adaptable to rising sea levels and climate change vulnerabilities,” Dr. Singh said.

He added: “It is for this reason that we intend to promote natural interventions in the form of groynes and restored mangrove forests from replanting and natural regeneration, to complement our significant investment in hard-structures.”

$310 MILLION FOR RIVER TRANSPORT

The government has allocated an amount of $310 million to facilitate the upgrading and rehabilitation of various stellings throughout the country, including the one at Wakenaam and Fort Island.
“Under the previous administration, residents and commuters travelling to and from the North West District were deprived the benefit of a modern ferry service, even though funding for the acquisition of the vessel had been secured,” the Finance Minister said.

He indicated that since taking office, this government has inked a $2.6 billion contract to construct an ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel to ply the North West District route to bring relief to struggling commuters. Additionally, under the same project, funds have been allocated to rehabilitate the Morawhanna, Kumaka, and Port Kaituma stellings.

“Additionally, $1.2 billion has been budgeted to facilitate the implementation of this project. A further $500 million has been allocated to rehabilitate the M.V. Malali, M.V. Makouria and M.V. Kimbia,” Dr. Singh told the National Assembly.

He said a critical aspect of the country’s transport infrastructure going forward is the development of a deep water harbour, which will provide an essential transit point for international cargo once the Corentyne River Bridge and the road to Brazil are complete.