The completion date for the canal is December 2013. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority has completed 60% of the channel so far, having completed the earthen work from the Crown Dam to the highway, a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture said. “Presently work is ongoing from the Crown Dam towards the Conservancy. Overall, the completion of the channel and the dams is about 32% completed. The Ministry of Agriculture does not contemplate difficulties in the timely completion of the channel together with its associated structures such as the dams,” the statement said. Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy met with the contractors who are engaged in the completion of the canal on Thursday and was updated on the progress.
The statement said that in spite of many challenges, the pace of work is still within the timeframe for completion of the project. Ramsammy made it clear that the completion must be in accordance with the agreed to timeline, the statement said.
It noted that the construction of the public road bridge is the responsibility of DIPCON Engineering Services Ltd and the minister urged the contractor to ensure that he keeps within the timeframe for completion of the bridge. Presently, the major activity at this site is the driving of pre-cast, pre-stressed concrete piles.
The construction of the high level outfall sluice structure at the Atlantic Ocean end (North of the Hope Secondary School) is the responsibility of Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd. A large number of piles must be driven as part of this component and one of the constraints being faced is the availability of piles. Due to the increasing amount of construction projects (private and public sector), there is a demand for piles. Since special piles are in demand at this time, the ministry, together with forestry, is working to ensure the timely availability of piles so as not to delay the construction of the sluice, the statement said.
Further, the ministry said, the construction of the head regulator on the East Demerara Water Conser-vancy (EDWC) to link the Channel is the responsibility of BK International. “Construction is challenged by the weather, the difficulties of access to the working site and the availability of piles,” the statement said. It added that the various contractors, the supervising consultants, the staff of the NDIA and the Ministry of Agriculture are working together to ensure that this project is not plagued with delays.
The canal, when completed, is expected to help drain the EDWC into the Atlantic Ocean. Currently when the water reaches a high level in the EDWC, water is drained through the Maduni and Lama sluices into the Mahaica and Mahaicony creeks, resulting in overtopping and flooding in these areas. The project has attracted debate from engineering experts who said that there were cheaper and more effective alternatives available. The government, however, said that the $3.6 billion project has been subject to extensive technical studies.
