Approximately $180M is currently being spent by the Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics to create a sturdy sea defence, between Turkeyen and Ogle on the Rupert Craig Highway and this could become a reality by September.

The works there to create 1.1 kilometres of “rip rap” sea defence began several weeks ago and is moving apace.

Presently the area between the ocean and the old sea wall which is very close to the road is being cleared and filled.

Stabroek News visited the site last week and met Minister Robeson Benn and Agnes Dalrymple, the acting Chief Sea and River Defence Officer.

Dalrymple told this newspaper that when work was being done on the sea wall several decades ago, the part which is presently being done was not completed.

The plan she said is to construct a rock slope and a rock crest.

Dalrymple told this newspaper that right now excavation work is being done so that the concrete work can begin.

Meanwhile the minister said that he is satisfied with the work being done by the contractor – Falcon Transportation and Construction Services so far.

He said that he visited on several occasions to see first hand how the work was progressing. He said that there was a trench between the sea and the old sea wall so this is being filled before the construction works begin.