The Sea Defence Board has committed to implementing scientific approaches to planning for future interventions to the country’s sea and river defences while emphasis will be placed on sustaining structurally adequate and functional sea and river defences
According to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI), this announcement was part of a statement, made when the board held its first meeting last Friday to discuss their plans, functions and focus towards the rehabilitation, protection and preventative works under the Sea Defence Department.
The newly elected Sea Defence Board, will serve for two years.
The statement explained that for next year, the Ministry plans to implement a programme of complementary activities that are based on the established principle of integrated coastal zone management. This, it said, will require that emphasis be placed on sustaining structurally adequate and functional sea and river defences, while implementing scientific approaches to planning for future interventions.
As a result, in order to ensure that priorities are adequately established, they have developed its annual programmes in line with the Sea and River Defence Sector Policy and the Sea and River Defence Sector Strategy.
“The 2019 Programme for Sea and River Defences will focus on strategic interventions in the areas of flood protection infrastructure interventions in areas of flood protection infrastructure, monitoring and research, technical capacity development within the Sea and River Defence Division and initiatives towards the further implementation of the Sector Policy aims,” the statement said.
It also added that the Board further discussed Guyana’s flood protection infrastructure system, which will be further strengthened through implementation of works contracts for the construction of critical sections of the river and sea defences in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.
The statement further explained that the designs for the new sea defences will be developed in accordance with accepted methods that are adapted to the prevailing conditions along the country’s coastline and river systems.
“Engineering design parameters for new flood protection structures are typically developed for a corresponding minimum design performance period of 30 years with the necessary allowances to satisfy climate change resilience requirements. Additionally, existing sea walls and revetments will be rehabilitated to enhance performance and achieve extended structural life,” the statement said, while adding that the site selection for construction and rehabilitation works will be guided by the results of sea and river defence condition surveys within the various districts.
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson was also present at the meeting and according to the statement, charged the Board Members to be “gatekeepers of the nation as they serve in their respective designations for the development and protection of all Guyanese through the management of critical flood protection systems.”
The board will be chaired by John Cush, representative of the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers with Jermaine Braithwaite, Senior Engineer, MoPI, as its Secretary.
