Additional $50M injected into developing Supenaam Stelling …to be completed by year end

In an effort to improve accessibility at the Supenaam Stelling/waterfront, the Government of Guyana has announced that it will soon be injecting another $50 million into the project to further enhance it.

This is according to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, who was at the time accompanied by the Head of State, Dr Ifaan Ali, and other Ministers of the Cabinet on Friday during a meeting with residents at Supenaam waterfront in Region Two.
In his address, Edghill said that it is one of several facilities which provide a benefit for the residents of Region Two. He noted that the additional work will meet three particular needs that the residents and stelling users have had, and long complained about.
“Works within my Ministry will focus on the main areas of enhancement which include an improved parking capacity for persons leaving the Supenaam landing… Persons who drive their vehicles to catch the speedboat to go to Georgetown will no longer have to stress where to park their cars. With the new parking capacity, persons will be able to park their vehicles in a safe area,” Edghill explained.
According to Edghill, the project will soon commence and within the coming month the Government of Guyana, through the Public Works Ministry, will invest in building a parking space. He added that the project will be completed by year end.
Edghill also revealed that tenders for developmental works within the area were opened just a few days ago and that the evaluation and awards of the related contracts are currently being advertised.
“The Ministry has been receiving multiple complaints relating to the current state of the stelling ramp. Boat users and other persons utilising the stelling said the ramp is too steep … So with the views and concerns of persons, it will also be remedied.”
The stelling ramp, he said, is anchored almost into the channel. As such, the Government will be working diligently to procure a floating ramp from an international supplier. He added that when the tide changes, boats will be able to safely drive toward the stelling, while passengers will be able to enter and exit safer.
But aside from enhancing the infrastructure at the stelling, Edghill said that the Ministry, along with the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), will also work to improve the efficiency of the ferry service.
As a means of better management of the traffic, Edghill said he and his team are eyeing the establishment of a platform to allow for electronic bookings. Once the booking system goes online, the Minister said that persons wanting to travel will be able to have hassle-free access to key ferry information such as daily occupancy rates and schedule.
The Supenaam Stelling, which is a critical point between the Essequibo Coast and Parika for the transport of goods and passengers, has been the source of contention in the past. The former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had previously done rehabilitation works on it.
The MV Sabanto, which plies the Parika-Supenaam route, was rendered out of service for a lengthy period, after it crashed into the Supenaam Stelling in July of 2016 and sustained extensive damage.
The crash resulted in severe damage to the back of the vessel and sections of the stelling. The incident occurred as the vessel arrived from Parika with hundreds of passengers and vehicles onboard.