By Indrawattie Natram

REGION Two is to be gifted yet another transformative project this year which will afford persons the opportunity of travelling in safety and comfort.

This year the region will be expending some $34M on a state-of-the-art boat landing at Supenaam. The facility is to be funded under the region’s capital works budget, and will be overseen by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, according to Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson.

During an interview with the media recently, Hopkinson said that the Ministry will be collaborating with the region on the project, in terms of providing technical advice and guidance.

As early as next Tuesday, a team from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will be submitting a plan of the project to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). The team, he said, will be present at the RDC statutory meeting and will provide councillors with essential information concerning the project.

That will begin the first consultation for the project, and councillors will be given the opportunity to voice their concerns, as well as make recommendations as they see fit. Hopkinson said he has seen a preview of the “layout” and he is certain that it will receive positive reviews from the Region Two RDC.

The new landing will be equipped with a port for entry and exit, while a special area will be dedicated to the differently-abled.
An information desk is included in the project and is one of many that were listed under the region’s capital budget.

It will replace the dilapidated and obsolete structure that is presently at Supenaam. At the moment, passengers travelling by speedboat face great discomfort whenever the vessel has to be offloaded, as the current structure is shaky and cannot withstand pressure.

Some of the boards from the walkway of the current stelling are also dislocated or missing.
Interviews conducted with speedboat operators have revealed that the project will be a beneficial one. Boat operators said that at the moment, they have to assist passengers to the boats and sometimes it is of great inconvenience to them.

They welcome the project, and anticipates its completion. “A boat landing will be a big plus for Region Two,” one boat operator said.
“It’s the first structure that will welcome visitors; I hope that special attention can be given, especially when it comes to the building and the materials.

“I am particularly happy, and I will personally be monitoring the project. Essequibo needs this.”