MOPI invites bids for sea defence works in six regions

Amidst controversy over whether or not Government should be passing new bills in Parliament and inviting new projects, the Public Infrastructure Ministry recently invited bids to upgrade sea and river defence structures in six administrative regions in Guyana.
The Ministry, in an advertisement, said that it was accepting invitations for the bid for the upgrading of structures in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The Public Infrastructure Ministry pointed out that works will be done in 25 different lots of which one bid can be submitted for a single lot or for multiple lots of the project.
“Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures, specified in the Procurement Act 2003 and is open to all bidders, subject to provisions of Section III (Eligible Countries) of this document. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from the Chief Sea & River Defence Officer, Work Services Group at Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown and inspect the Bidding Documents at the same address between the normal working hours from January 8, 2019 to January 31, 2019,” the Ministry stated in a release.
The major project will come up at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on January 31, 2019.
A few of the areas which will be bid on by major contractors include maintenance works to the concrete structures at Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two; maintenance works to the earthen embankment from Andrews to Cozier, Essequibo Coast, Region Three; maintenance works to the river embankment along the Lower Pomeroon River, Region Two; maintenance works to the river embankment along the Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two and Timber Revetment River Defence Works along the Supenaam River in Region Two as well.
Boulder face protection works will also be conducted in Regions Two and Three along the Essequibo Coast and Wakenaam Island respectively.
Maintenance works are also scheduled for the earthen embankment in Wakenaam and Leguan along with Boulder face protection works in Leguan.
Meanwhile, gabion mattress river defence works are expected for Region Three along with concrete river defence works.
In Region Four, the nation’s most populated region, the Ministry said concrete river defence works at Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) as well as concrete repair works to existing structures between Melanie and Paradise, ECD, are expected.
During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) last year, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Kevin Samad stressed the importance of sea and river defense, as most of Guyana’s population reside in communities that lie below sea level.
Samad noted that over the years, it has been a challenge to maintain or preserve the mangrove vegetation. It is especially challenging with the advent of various illegal activities such as cattle rearing and the cutting of mangroves for various reasons.
Nevertheless, “we are aware of the impacts of climate change and sea level rise and we have factored in sea level rise in our designs of all coastal and riverine structures,” the Sea and River Defence Officer explained.
It has been argued that since the Government collapsed with the recent passage of the no-confidence motion on December 21, 2018, no project should be initiated unless it is of utmost importance.