Govt seeking contractor to fix Mahaicony sea defence breach

Days after another bout of flooding following another section of the sea defence at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) breaching, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill stated that the Government is yet to acquire a third contractor to fix the breached sea defence.

In a brief interview with Guyana Times on Sunday, Minister Edghill explained that his Ministry is working to have the contractor come on board as swiftly as possible, however, he noted that the tender procedure needs to be followed in order to ensure that taxpayers are getting their money’s worth.
Minister Edghill said he is aware that residents are expecting BK International and A&S General Contractors Inc, to complete their work that is ongoing in a timely manner. He pointed out that he will not be accepting any excuses for further delays.
“Another contractor will be engaged for the sealing of that breach while the works are ongoing. Since I am here, listening to you the residents and observing and listening what is being done to the 5km already under construction and where we are on that, we have seen that there is a possibility that another contractor can be mobilised both with equipment and materials to get to work to seal that breach because ultimately you are the ones that are suffering,” he explained.
The contractors had highlighted that another contractor will not be feasible since there is only one access to the sea defence. But Minister Edghill explained that following a meeting with the technical team and local authorities, they have established another route to access the site to transport machines and materials contrary to the previous advice given.
He ended on the note that the plight of the residents is paramount to President Dr Irfaan Ali, whose vision is to ensure that all issues are resolved in a timely manner.
“The intent of his Excellency the President is to ensure that relief comes to you as speedy as possible and that these matters be resolved,” he noted, while adding that the estimated cost to repair the breached sea defence is pegged between $145 and $175 million.
The sea defence at Dantzig, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), experienced a second breach last month, resulting in thousands of acres of rice and pasture lands as well as households being flooded with water from the ocean.
The breach was initially 200 metres but due to delayed response, the breach extended to five kilometres, part of which BK had been working on. Upon assuming office earlier this month, Minister Indar had visited the breached sites where corrective works are being done.
In addition to BK International, another contractor, A&S General Contractors Inc, is also conducting repairs to the breached sea defence at Glaciers Lust in the vicinity of Content, Mahaicony.
The Junior Public Works Minister had stressed the need for the existing breach of 800 metres to be sealed immediately as the violent tides can result in more damages and expenditure.
The first breach of the sea defence had occurred in October 2019, with floods affecting both the residential and farming communities. Farmland between Planters Hall and DeHoop became barren and remained that way. Cash crops, rice, and cattle farmers were all thrown out of business.
Since then, hundreds of farmers would have lost business as a result of being unable to cultivate their lands due to it being flooded with saltwater from the ocean.