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Hope Canal works to proceed in spite of heavy rains

May 22, 2011 News


…Agri Minister expecting no delays

Despite the recent rains, Minister Robert Persaud is confident that work on the Hope canal will continue apace allowing for an on schedule completion.
The project has been divided into four major parts, with the first being the actual excavation of the 10.3km long earthen channel from the East Demerara Water Conservancy to the coastal spill off at the other end of the Canal.
This phase of the project was not released for public tender. Instead the Ministry of Agriculture, through its National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has undertaken this portion of the works themselves.
In an invited comment yesterday, Minister Persaud noted that the rains can have some effect on the excavation works, causing delays and slowing progress, however there are works that can be done elsewhere along the route that will help to keep the project on schedule as it were.
The Minister was unable to say what the progress was in terms of excavation but promised the nation an update in a few short days saying that another site visit has already been planned for the coming week.
The other three parts of the project are the civil works – a three-gated conservancy head regulator, a bridge across the East Coast Public Road and the eight-gated high level outfall at the Atlantic end of the Canal.
These three civil projects were put up for public tender and were subsequently awarded to three firms – BK International, DIPCON Engineering and Courtney Benn Contracting Services. According to Minister Persaud, these three contracts have already been signed and he expects to see the companies mobilising within the upcoming week.
The Minister, whose agency also oversees the Hydrometeorological office, noted that the recent rains are not the actual onset of the May-June rainy season. He pointed out that these recent showers are part of a tropical system over the Atlantic and affecting the coastlands.
The May-June rains on the other hand are part of the weather system called the ITCZ or Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone which is actually making its way down from the south and is the reason for the recent spate of rainfall in Regions Eight and Nine.
The Minister noted that by the beginning of June the rainy season will make its appearance and its impact on the project schedule will be assessed.
The project which is targeted to be completed within 18 months started in February 2011 and is therefore four months underway.

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