Ongoing construction of the Port Kaituma Wharf in Region One (Barima-Waini) is 60 per cent completed, and the Public Works Ministry is eyeing completion before the busy Christmas season.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill inspected the ongoing construction of the wharf just after he arrived in the region on the new MV Ma Lisha vessel. The $1.4B project is set to conclude in December 2023, but Minister Edghill has urged the contractor to aim for completion by November, to ensure the facility is ready to facilitate passengers during the Christmas season.
Accompanying the Minister were the Regional Vice Chairman, Regional Executive Officer, and other officials of the Barima-Waini Region, along with Chairman and General Manager of the Transport and Harbours Department.
Works are progressing at the Port Kaituma Wharf
The upgraded port will cater to the needs of the MV Ma Lisha, which commenced operation earlier last week to service the North West District. The US$12.7 vessel was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. It is 69.55 metres long, and has a 13.5-metre beam.
Designed to traverse the conditions from Georgetown to the North West District (NWD), it reputedly will cut travel time by 50 per cent with a speed of 15 knots and 500 nautical miles endurance. It has a 250-tonne cargo capacity, with a six-tonne capacity crane, and is powered by two engines. Passenger capacity is 294 persons, inclusive of crew members.
Due to these specifications, wharves in the region had to be retrofitted to properly cater for the new ferry. In fact, the Public Works Ministry had announced works for Kingston, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Morawhanna stellings. From the recently approved supplementary funding of $33.3 billion for the Public Works Ministry, money has been allocated for wharves and stellings.
Specifically, $2.5 billion has been earmarked for advancing works at Kingston goods wharf and the Kumaka, Morawhanna and Port Kaituma stellings.
The new wharves are being constructed at the Barima loading area to service residents of Port Kaituma and surrounding communities. The wharf at Kumaka is being relocated in an effort to mitigate the heavy traffic that obtains at the market, and the Morawhanna stelling is to be upgraded, as it caters only to passengers and small cargo.
President Irfaan Ali had pointed out that enabling direct market links for agricultural produce to the Caribbean is one of Government’s major visions for Region One, and such investments would ensure a smooth transition into greater economic prosperity for the region.
The idea is to produce crops with a stable shelf life, such as spices, which can withstand transportation for long hours, since the region is remote. (G12)
