A $40M pontoon which will be used to dredge blocked outfall channels along the Coast was on Sunday handed over to the Agriculture ministry.
According to a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release Minster Robert Persaud witnessed the handing over of the pontoon by Courtney Benn, Managing Director of Courtney Benn Contracting Services.
Persaud said as a result of the current policy decision to reactivate and open new sluices, it is very critical to clear the build-up of sedimentation that is occurring at the sluices along the Coast. “With the acquisition of a pontoon it will be convenient, cost effective and allow for greater efficiency and better draining,” he said as the channels have to be cleared three times per year.
The pontoon manufactured by Courtney Benn Contracting Service for the desilting of outfall channels along the coast. (GINA photo)
Benn said the pontoon was made from materials imported from Miami. He said it took about six months to complete.
According to GINA the government funded the cost of the pontoon which will also accommodate heavy-duty equipment such as excavators while they execute drainage works. Additionally, the pontoons will allow the National Drainage and Irriga-tion Authority (NDIA) to undertake more work without incurring exorbitant costs, reducing the use of pumps for drainage at channels affected by sedimentation.
This is what is expected from government ministers!! Step up to the plate! Get results! Guyana certainly needs this piece of equipment! Now let’s see some proactive management of this piece of equipment. Let us see this equipment being used effectively, FULL M$40 WORTH !!!! Congratulations. I also must commend the company that built this pontoon.
This type of work is long overdue on the mouth of the Abary Creek , where farmers and members of this largely agricultural area, suffers huge loss of livestocks and crops, due to the poor state of this vital drainage artey.
A proactive and an efficient drainage and irrigation system is essential to the development of the country, where most of the population, industry and commerce is located, below sea level, and is prone to floodings and rising sea levels.
It was largely due to a poorly managed and inefficient drainage and irrigation system, which resulted in major floodings and suffering in recent years.
The political administration should spend money on these essentials, such as drainage and irrigation and the police and security services, for the protection of the population, instead of the PPP’s pet and propaganda projects.
It is funded by Central Government; the pontoon will also accommodate heavy, duty equipment such as excavators while they execute drainage works. In addition the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority. Miami said despite a few hindrances such as the current rainfall he is happy that the pontoon has finally been completed.
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asher smith
widecircles
Rwilliams has outlined some very relevant points in his comment. It is clear that Guyana is always going to be a victim of flooding and this problem might even get worse with climate change playing havoc with Guyana weather systems.
It is essential that drains, irrigation channels and other waterway systems are in perfect order and not blocked up with sediment or left otherwise inoperative.
This pontoon accommodating heavy-duty excavators will play a vital role in preparing the country for flooding emergencies when it will be vital to get the flooded areas drained out before too much loss of life, livestock, crops and infrastructure.
The Dutch understood this very well when they administrated Guyana and it is a real encouragement to see this Government today proactively investing like this to mitigate disaster in the future.
The old saying relevant here is: Don’t take torch-light to do in the night what you should have done in daytime.
Courtney Benn Contracting Services must be congratulated too for building locally to show a more ‘can-do’ capability.