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EU commits 18M euros more for sea defence works
EC Ambassador to Guyana, Geert Heikens, (centre) among key stakeholders inspecting the sea defence project at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo
The European Ambassador to Guyana, Geert Heikens, yesterday announced the ninth tranche for sea defence assistance to Guyana from the European Development Fund, to the tune of 18M euros.
The announcement came at a reception held to mark the handing over of four kilometres of rip-rap sea defence that was constructed in Tuschen, on the East Coast of Essequibo, and Blankenburg, on the West Coast of Demerara.
The 14M-euro project commenced in 2005 and is guaranteed to last for another four decades, at which time it will require some reinforcement.
Speaking at the simple handing-over ceremony yesterday, Heikens said that the European Commission has been supporting the sea defences for more than two decades, with the main focus on supporting the Government in the effort to reconstruct sea defences identified as being in a critical condition.
He noted that future collaboration, such as the one to be undertaken with the 18M euros, will focus more on preventative maintenance works, with a smaller component of reconstruction.
“This is because the EC, jointly with Government of Guyana, has adopted a strategy that looks forward to medium and long term sustainability based more on prevention and less new construction….The ninth EDF also provides further for the funding of institutional capacity-building components, including the expansion of the already established Shore Zone Management System….the preservation of existing mangroves and the exploration of possibilities to bring back mangroves where they once formed the natural defence against the sea are additional elements under this programme.”
He added that it will be important for special focus to be made to assist the Government in its efforts for the development of a sea defence sector policy.
This, Heikens posited, would not only provide the basis required to ensure adequate levels of funding for preventative maintenance, but would also provide for an integrated comprehensive approach under which coordinated and sustainable actions could take place.
“We are pleased to see that the Government has taken an active leading role in supporting the sector’s policy development.”
Speaking at the event yesterday, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, in expressing his appreciation, said that the security of the nation’s sea defences was imperative, especially with the phenomenon known as climate change.
He noted that it was very important for the relevant stakeholders to adopt a more proactive approach as it relates to sea defence.
Benn said that the issue of reducing costs was also very important. From 1992 to date, the Government has expended several billions in reconstruction.
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