Maintenance works at Demerara Harbour Bridge will not affect its operation - General Manager
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2008.
Maintenance of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) linking Regions Three and Four is continuing and members of the public are being assured that the substructure works will not affect operation of the bridge.
This assurance was given by DHB General Manager Rawlston Adams because of rumors that the bridge will be closed for a two-week period to facilitate upgrading activities.
The maintenance programme for the bridge during this year includes removal, blasting, repainting and replacement of 79 pontoons.
In addition, three large and one extra extra-large pontoon for the bridge’s high span and retractor spans will be constructed. Government has provided approximately $555M at the end of 2007 for these activities which would be a tremendous boost to the structure. Already, the contract has been awarded for this project and the works are scheduled to commence shortly.
Plans are also in place to construct and replace 320 decks plates, fabricate and install 100 mesh panels, repair deckings as required and carry out annual maintenance of the retractor span hydraulic system.
Over the years, significant investments have been made by Government to maintain and upgrade the DHB and generally improve its services. In this regard, there has been replacement of wire ropes, sheaves, shackles, buoys and servicing of winches on the anchorage system.
Among the main projects undertaken at the bridge during the last year was construction of three large pontoons at a cost of about $120M and resurfacing of the structure. This was done at a cost of approximately $42M to give longevity to the bridge and make it safer for traffic, particularly during wet conditions.
At present, efforts are being made to conduct a feasibility study for a new bridge across the Demerara River. The study will focus on various types of bridges, location and estimated cost of the project.
The existing bridge was constructed in the 1970s and accommodates the crossing of approximately 24 000 commuters daily. It was originally built to last 10 years but was repaired in 1998 through a major European Union project that cost US$10M which gave it another 15 years.
The bridge’s superstructure is supported by more than 100 pontoons, and comprises 61 spans. Its double retractor creates a clearance of 210 feet horizontally to facilitate the passage of ocean-going vessels.
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Comprehensive agri-revitalization plan for ECD communities -
-initial focus on D&I upgrading
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2008.
Government’s vision for advanced agriculture is being pursued in more communities including the East Coast Demerara, where farming activities are being revitalized in areas that were left uncultivated for several years.
During a visit today to several East Coast Demerara (ECD) communities including Victoria/Belfield, Buxton and Montrose, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud pointed out that initial focus is being placed on drainage and irrigation (D&I) enhancement to encourage farmers to return to the farmlands.
The current investments in the D&I system on the ECD include excavation of drains and canals, repairs to sluices, kokers and intake structures, upgrading of access dams, desilting of outfall channels and re-activation of structures that were closed in the 1970s and 1980s.
These works are intended to encourage farmers to return to re-cultivate the lands by providing the basic infrastructure. It is also in response to the interest expressed by residents to re-develop agriculture in their communities.
The investments form part of the ongoing ‘Grow-More’ initiative that targets increased food production for each household and community to become self sufficient and to aid export growth. In this regard, farmers of the East Coast Demerara communities, like many others across the country, are guaranteed further support in terms of extension services, technical advice, seeds, planting materials and agro-chemicals.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud interacts with farmers during a visit to Victoria/Belfield, East Coast Demerara
In addition, agencies such as the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will guide farmers as they embark on the agricultural drive to ensure that their cultivation and livestock rearing activities are market-driven and done on a commercial level. This seeks to ensure adequate food supplies, job opportunities particularly for young people, increased income and improved living conditions.
These interventions and others were outlined to residents and farmers of the various communities by Minister Persaud while he inspected several ongoing D&I projects including desilting of the Buxton pump basin. This project valued approximately $60M will improve drainage and irrigation significantly and will help to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall. The works started last week and are scheduled to be completed within eight weeks.
Another major project is underway at Montrose, East Coast Demerara to bolster the drainage and irrigation system in that area by reconfiguring a section of the sluice that discharges water from the pump basin. The sluice was out of operation for three years and during the high spring tide and heavy rainfall, drainage was restrained to operation at peak hours.
The ongoing works are estimated at $14M and seeks to remove the use of ‘stop logs’ and tractor to open the existing door for operating the sluice. The project is being done collaboratively by the NDIA and Guyana Sugar Corporation which manages the Montrose pump station. 
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth inspect ongoing works at Montrose sluice, East Coast Demerara.
At Victoria/Belfield, efforts are being made to repair a sluice to serve as regulator for releasing water from the Hope drainage system into the Victoria channel where it could be discharged effectively through the pumps located nearby. This system is being put in place for use only when the water is high in the Hope area.
The works, expected to commence within the next two days will be carried out collaboratively by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the farmers’ group and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the Victoria/Belfield area.
Other works being pursued to enhance drainage and irrigation on the East Coast Demerara include a programme for desilting the various outfall channels. At present, NDIA is awaiting completion of pontoons to transport its long-boom excavators to clear the outfalls.
Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NDIA Lionel Wordsworth were among those who accompanied the Minister.
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Diversification programme sets framework for advancing targeted sectors
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2008.
The US$20M Agriculture Export Diversification Programme currently being implemented by Government is a multifaceted strategy that seeks to reposition the sector with focus on establishment of the necessary framework to lead the process in all the targeted areas including the livestock industry.
The Diversification Programme funded by Government with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) targets expansion of potential growth areas such as the non-traditional crop sector, livestock industry and aquaculture.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud pointed out that the investment is intended to have a more long-term impact on the agricultural sector although it supports ongoing initiatives such as the ‘Grow-More’ campaign that focuses on increased food production.
“It’s a multifaceted diversification strategy and it very comprehensive. It looks at the regulatory structure and also the supply and production side constraints that we have in the particular crops and livestock type activities,” he explained.
In the livestock industry, the programme will set up the framework to address the need for updated plant and animal health infrastructure with emphasis on the need for modern processing facilities that are certified for export of meat and meat products.
The need for a state-of-the-art abattoir through which support will be given to the private sector for establishing such infrastructure and development of a semi-autonomous entity such as a livestock development board to regulate the industry’s expansion are also being given attention under the Diversification Programme.
It was pointed out that a great deal of attention is being given to updated plant and animal health infrastructure, systems and facilities because it is recognised that exposure to any disease can hamper not only the entire livestock industry but the economy.
Under the component for aquaculture development, focus will be placed on establishment of more farms which will be supported by the hatchery currently being constructed.
The plan for fruits and vegetables will place emphasis on plantation-type farms and support to farmers and farmers group. It was explained that while Government will partner with the large farmers to develop their activities, significant attention will be given to formation of clusters whereby small farmers could enjoy greater benefits.
“If we are to dent or have any significant quantity of do economies of scales we need to bring farmers together so we have started that. A lot of emphasis will be placed on bringing the farmers together so they can share resources and whatever ever facilities we are provided,” Minister Persaud stated.
The main components of the Diversification Programme are private sector entrepreneurship into agribusiness, agribusiness export and facilitation services, strengthening and consolidating agricultural health and food safety services and drainage and irrigation rehabilitation.
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