Renowned civil engineer Joseph Holder passed away yesterday. Details on the circumstances of his passing were not disclosed.
Holder, a retired Specialist in Bridges and Designs, was perhaps best known for designing and spearheading the construction of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).
It was during a two-week training programme in 1975 on the use of Acrow Panel Bridge (APB) structural and Uniflote (UF) flotation components in the construction of bridges that an inquiry by Holder saw the designing of the DHB with construction beginning a year later.
While the construction of a bridge across the Demerara River was discussed for years it was never put into action – that is, until Holder inquired whether the two components can be used a floating bridge across the Demerara River in the vicinity of Georgetown. Holder and participants of the programme designed the bridge the following day – an exercise that was soon forgotten by the group.
However, according to the fifth edition of the Demerara Harbour Bridge – from Construction Project To Statutory Corporation that was documented by Holder, the Managing Director of the Thomas Storey (Engineers) Ltd) and lecturer of the programme, John Hattrell did not and later submitted a proposal to the Guyanese government to supply APB and UF components for the construction of a two-lane floating bridge.
Holder was later selected to visit the United Kingdom where he held discussions with the retractor spans engineer about its design and function and observed the fabrication of APB and UF components and their use in the construction of floating docks at various places in England.
Upon his return, Holder advised the government that the APB and UF components can be used for constructing a bridge across the Demerara River and proposed that it be constructed between Peter’s Hall on the East Bank and Meer Zorgen on the West Bank.
Holder was appointed project manager for the building of the bridge in March of 1976 and construction started in May that year. He also served as General Manager of the bridge for a number of years.
Holder also worked on a number of key projects including the Mahaica-Mahaicony road, the Mahaicony-Rosignol road, the Abary Bridge, the new Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges, structures along the Upper Mazaruni Road and numerous smaller bridges and culverts across Guyana. He was awarded a Golden Arrow of Achievement for his services to Guyana.
“He was truly a son of Guyana, a nationalist and patriot. [He] was somebody who loved Guyana and wanted to see Guyana develop,” Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill told Stabroek News yesterday as he expressed sadness at Holder’s death.
At the time of his death, Holder was the Director of the DHB and was part of an advisory body on infrastructural development, says Edghill, who went on to note that Holder also gave advice on the construction of the new DHB.
I would miss his advice and inputs,” adds Edghill.
The news of Holder’s death was widely circulated on social media as many Guyanese took to various platforms to pay tribute to the renowned engineer.
“Joe ‘the Bridge Man’ as he was familiarly called was one of Guyana’s finest engineers and had an unparalleled intellect. He was a true nationalist and patriot,” the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) said in a statement.
According to the group, Holder started his career as a Civil Engineer with the Ministry of Public Works in the early 1960s and rose through the ranks to become Specialist Engineer – Structures, Chief Works Officer and ultimately to the most senior position in the ministry that of Permanent Secretary. He was also a former General Manager of the Guyana Electricity Cooperation, an executive member of the Guyana Public Service Union and was actively involved in the University of Guyana’s Civil Engineering programme where he was a mentor to many Civil Engineering students.
“He rarely missed final-year Civil Engineering presentations providing practical feedback to students on their various projects….While we mourn the loss of Eng. Holder we also celebrate his life and are grateful for the contributions he has made to the development of the country and the nation’s infrastructure. We salute you Eng. Holder,” GAPE said.
Banks DIH Executive Carlton Joao said, “Eng. Joseph Holder was an icon in the field of Engineering in Guyana and the Caribbean. While his focus was on engineering Guyana’s infrastructure especially its bridges, he also worked on building linkages among people and on education/people development…. Thanks for your contribution to the Nation and to my personal development.”
