overnment has cleared five contracts for sea and river defence amounting to $428.6 million and $54.5 million for the supply of fuel and lubricants to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon made these disclosures at his post Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President yesterday. Luncheon also said $20.4 million was green-lighted for the construction of ‘Gabion’ basket groynes at Riverview, Essequibo in Region Ten; $338.5 million was earmarked for the construction of 600 metres of rip rap sea defences at Sea Spray, Leonora, West Coast Demerara, Region Three; $16.2 million was given the nod for scour protection works at Craig/Good Success, East Bank Demerara, Region Four; and $53.4 million cleared for the construction of 120 metres of rip rap sea defences at Toevlugt, West Bank Demerara, Region Four.