Home News Construction on new Hope Canal replica to start in 3 months –...
…highlights how billions in investments will transform lives
The new Hope Canal replica in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is among the many projects the Government is rolling out which will transform communities and benefit ordinary residents and according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, work on this transformative project will start in three months.
During the commemoration of the 27th death anniversary People’s Progressive Party (PPP) founder and late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan on Sunday, President Ali laid out to the attendees how the Government was improving their lives through investments.
The President urged the crowd at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, to look at the infrastructure being built, including the new canal modelled after the one built at Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD) in 2013, which will help secure them against flooding.
“When we build the new canal, the Hope-like canal, which will start in another three months. When we do this, the risk of flooding will reduce by 60 per cent in this region. When the risk of flooding reduces by 60 per cent, the risk for financing your project becomes lower with the bank.
“And if the risk becomes lower, the access to financing becomes easier. But much more importantly, when the risk to damage by flooding is reduced, the value of your land increases,” President Ali further said.
The Hope Canal, or Northern Relief Channel, which is located at Hope/Dochfour, 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.
The Hope Canal has been instrumental in preventing massive flooding along the East Coast of Demerara during the unprecedented May-June floods. As far back as 2021, the Government had announced that similar infrastructure would be constructed in other regions to curb devastating floods. These include Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
Studies had been done in 2022 to determine whether the water captured at the Hope Canal facility can be treated to be used as a sustainable source to serve the ECD corridor. It was noted that this initiative to reuse the Hope Canal water is necessary, as Guyana confronts climate change as well as responds to the growing demands for more service connections.
This project is also part of the Government’s plans to provide 100 per cent access to treated water on the coast by 2025. Last year, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal had said that the feasibility study for the Hope Canal replica had already been completed and the next step is to source funding for the project, which is estimated to cost some €55 million.
Palmyra investments
President Ali also referenced the development being done at Palmyra. This includes housing projects, hotels, a stadium and a hospital. According to the President, these investments worth billions of dollars will transform communities and increase property values.
“If you go to a community that four years ago had no roads, and today we have roads – a road network in that community – at an average, the value of every property in that community will go up by at least 25 per cent,” President Ali added.
“When that value goes up, what happens? Your net value as a family goes up. Instead of having a house that four years ago was worth $4 million, you now have a house that is worth almost $5.5 million. That is how you build social and economic justice. You invest, to transfer value, to create wealth, to transfer wealth.”
The Sheriff Group of Companies will be constructing a Specialty Hospital at Palmyra, Region Six – which is expected to provide as many as 400 jobs. The company is also building a $1.3 billion mega mall, also at Palmyra.
Sheriff Mall is expected to be built in four phases, with the first phase expected to be completed in August 2024. The company has said the state-of-the-art facility will provide a vibrant shopping and entertainment experience for the people of Berbice and contribute significantly to the region’s economic growth.
Then there are the Government’s plans for the Berbice Stadium and multipurpose centre at Palmyra. The long-awaited facility is expected to provide a significant impetus to sports development in the region. It will serve as a venue for a range of activities, including cricket, concerts, and other major events.
With a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators, it will become one of the largest sports facilities in Guyana, comparable the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara. (G3)
