Climate change mitigation: Hope Canal Berbice replica under construction; 2 outfall structures being built – Dr Singh

In keeping with the Government of Guyana’s promise, the outfalls for the Hope Canal replica being built in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are well under construction – a process which Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh has assured will be replicated in other regions, including Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).
One of the key climate adaptation projects being pursued in Guyana are replicas of the Hope Canal, a high-level discharge drainage system. Replicas of the Hope Canal, located at Hope Village/Dochfour on the East Coast of Demerara, are being built in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five, and Six.
During a public meeting at Mibicuri, Dr Singh cited the work being done on these canals, as just one example of the Government fulfilling its promises.

“We said we’re going to implement lasting solutions for the traditional problems with flooding and with irrigation. And the Hope-like canals are already under construction. Two outfall structures and an embankment along the Canje creek. And a network, within that configuration – already under construction. We’re doing the same in Region Five,” the Finance Minister said.
It was only last week that bids from as many as 60 companies interested in constructing a Hope canal replica in Region Three were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).
Among the bidders were BK International Inc, Adamantium Holdings, A&S General Store, STP Investments Inc, A&E Construction, SP Engineering & Construction Services, S Jagmohan Construction & General Supplies Inc and R&N Construction Services.
Other companies were Two Brothers Construction & Logistics Inc, Gaico Construction & General Services Inc, S Caimraj Construction Service, Applied Services, S Triple J’s Enterprise, J&R General Construction Services, K&S Peetum Construction, JJ Mining & Construction and Crown Road Drainage Contractors.
The Hope Canal, or Northern Relief Channel, is a multi-component channel that allows excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to be drained into the Atlantic Ocean via an eight-door sluice, so as to avoid overflowing and possible flooding.
That canal, which cost some $3.6 billion, was conceptualised under the then Bharrat Jagdeo-led People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, and was constructed following the 2005 floods.
At the time, excessive rainfall, compounded by a breach in the embankment, had resulted in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five experiencing massive flooding, causing significant damage to agricultural and residential areas.
After several delays, the Hope Canal project became operational in 2016.
Noting its climate mitigation benefits, the Government wants the project replicated in other regions. As far back as 2021, President Ali had said the Hope Canal was instrumental in preventing massive flooding along the East Coast of Demerara during the unprecedented May-June floods that year.
Moreover, he had announced that similar infrastructure would be constructed in other regions to curb devastating floods.