Latest update February 16th, 2025 1:58 PM
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Silted outfalls to be cleared quicker
… pontoon acquired to carry heavy duty equipment along the coast
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority is now equipped with a $39.8M pontoon to facilitate routine dredging and excavation of silted outfalls, which will provide gravity drainage at minimum cost.
Yesterday, the pontoon was officially handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture, having taken almost six months to build.
Speaking with the media yesterday at the Thom and Cameron Wharf on Water Street, where Courtney Benn Construction Company operates, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said that the pontoon will be used primarily for the dredging of outfalls.
He noted that funding for the pontoon was provided by Central Government.
“We have now taken a policy decision to reactivate sluices and open new ones…it is very critical that we clear the sedimentation and the build-up at the many sluices across our coast.”
Climate change, along with many other factors, the Minister said, also contributes to the fast build-up of sedimentation at the sluices.
“We have gone this route instead of utilizing contractors who normally clear those outfalls, because we find it much more cost effective and convenient.”
In 2007, the minister said, just under $40M was spent to clear a few of the outfalls along the coast.
That, he pointed out, was not enough, since some of these outfalls needed to be cleared at least twice or thrice per year.
“When the comparison is done, it is more cost effective to put the heavy duty equipment on the pontoon and deploy it to various areas,” Minister Persaud noted.
This will allow for more efficiency and better drainage, he said.
In addition, the NDIA will be able to respond in a timely manner and undertake more works without incurring exorbitant costs, and reducing the use of pumps for drainage where outfalls are silted.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Courtney Benn Construction Company Limited, Courtney Benn, said that the pontoon can carry at least 250 tons.
He said that the construction was delayed for a short while because of inclement weather.
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