MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, along with engineers from the Sea and River Defence Board, met with residents of Charity on Wednesday evening to further engage them on the GY$880 million Charity Wharf Project.

This engagement followed a meeting held last month, during which the minister announced the development, emphasising its potential to transform Charity into a thriving hub for business and trade.

The project which was awarded to S. Jagmohan Construction and General Supplies Inc. aims to modernise the riverfront and enhance transportation and trade infrastructure within the region. Once complete, the state-of-the-art facility will serve as a key economic driver, especially for agriculture and commercial activity.

The new multipurpose wharf will feature modern port facilities, including loading ramps to facilitate more efficient operations for both cargo and passenger vessels. It will also include comfortable waiting areas for travellers and traders, as well as world-class packaging and storage spaces that will meet international export standards. River reclamation and dredging of the Pomeroon River are also planned, allowing larger vessels to dock safely and significantly improving the area’s trade and export capacity.

Despite the projected benefits, the announcement has seen mixed reactions from residents. Concerns over the timing and sequence of works prompted a petition signed by 100 residents, calling for a temporary halt to the project until urgent revetment works are completed.
Residents fear that without this critical flood prevention mechanism, the area will remain vulnerable.

In response to these concerns, Minister Edghill returned to Charity to meet with the residents. He reassured them that the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ interests and would not proceed with any development that could harm or disrupt their lives.

To promote transparency and build confidence, engineers from the ministry presented a comprehensive overview of the project, explaining its phases and the safety protocols in place to minimise risks.

Residents were also invited to voice their concerns and received direct feedback from the minister and his technical team.

Several residents reiterated their call for revetment works, noting the community’s frequent flooding issues.

They expressed appreciation to Minister Edghill for responding quickly to their petition and taking the time to listen to their concerns in-person.

Construction will proceed, and pile driving is expected to begin soon. (Indrawattie Natram)