Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
$3.6B Hope Canal Project never necessary Dr. Roopnaraine
While there exists, currently, some degree of confusion surrounding the possible cost over runs for the
APNU’s Shadow Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine
$3.6B Hope Canal Project on government’s part, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Shadow Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, asserted yesterday that the venture has only been an unnecessary extravagance from its inception.
Dr. Roopnaraine made this comment yesterday at the latest press conference of the APNU.
The politician was asked to comment not only on the uncertainties and the cost over runs but also on the length of time the project is taking to be completed. The project has missed five deadlines.
He said that it is the belief of APNU that the project is not essential because it does not address what is needed by the conservancy. Dr. Roopnaraine said that what the nation needs is proper outlets for the Demerara River and improved internal arrangements for the Conservancy improved.
“Instead, we have this elaborate canal and no idea how government will maintain it given its record. I cross the Hope Bridge daily and I look everyday and I see that activity is taking place there. My own feeling is that now that they sorted out the wrench and the final sluice is in readiness we anticipate that it would finish soon but it has been an extravagance from then to now.
“I’d be surprised if there aren’t cost overruns.”
Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, was recently asked if there are major costs overruns on the Project. He said that, “The macro structure is completed. There is some associated work to be completed but there are no cost overruns.”
He had said that the associated work has to do with backfilling and operator building for the project.
Commenting on the failed deadlines, Dr Ramsammy retorted that Courtney Benn, one of the contractors on the project, requested an extension. He added that the quality of work thus far is “excellent.”
The eight-gate sluice to release the water into the Atlantic is being constructed by Courtney Benn Construction.
He had also stated that the Ministry was faced with two decisions, either terminate the contract which would have caused more extensive delays and cost overruns or choose to the route of extension of the deadline at “no cost.”
But Dr. Luncheon who was recently asked about whether Cabinet was updated on the reasons for the delays of the project and the likelihood of cost overruns, said that he is aware that the project is on its sixth deadline, and that a series of “ponderables” delayed it.
He said that Government is now looking at a 2015 second quarter deadline and “of course there are cost overruns.”
Dr. Luncheon said, though, that he would not be able to qualify the overruns sustained. They would be calculated when the project is finished and the defects liability is invoked, he added.
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