Authorities battle time to surface, remove sunken dredge from River channel

Sep 17, 2016 News

Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has apologised for the inconvenience experienced by users of the Mazaruni River channel by a sunken dredge.

Efforts are underway to remove a sunken dredge in the Mazaruni River that is blocking traffic and reportedly creating hardships for a number of hinterland communities.

Minister Ferguson said that she understands the plight of those affected and is apologising to them.
The Minister is urging residents, tourists, boat operators, miners and school children to continue to have patience, as the Ministry works to bring relief shortly.
She said that engineers from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) took the initiative to cut the dredge into pieces to surface it and by the end of September the entire dredge should be surfaced.
It was reported that approximately two months ago, the dredge sank while it was proceeding along the river on its way to Potaro. This had adversely affected entrance and exit for users of the Mazaruni River, including school children, miners and others.
It was subsequently reported that the dredge had shifted position to the middle of the river, making the situation worse.
However, the Minster assured, “relief is underway for the affected riverain communities and I can assure the operators who ply their trade in the Mazaruni area, they will be relieved as we work to remove the dredge as soon as possible.”
The channel in which the partially submerged dredge is located serves as the only avenue for transportation for the communities to the upper and middle Mazaruni.
Recently, the Ministry of Natural Resources indicated that the Ministry is engaged with a mining company to remove the dredge from the channel, and the ministry will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with MARAD.
Officials had said that Crown Mining Supplies which owns the dredge is likely to assist with the cost of its removal.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources assured that efforts are underway to remove the dredge.
“The Ministry is mindful of the many complaints from the public and is committed to ensuring that this issue is addressed as soon as possible. While there has been some degree of restriction in the river due to the salvage cables attached to the wreck, it is reported that some cargo and passenger boats have been able to pass the area without hindrance through a back channel,” the ministry said.
The ministry said it is cognizant of reports that the water level of the Mazaruni River of late has caused some difficulty in the salvage efforts.
An emergency meeting is set for Monday between an advisory board of MARAD and the operator responsible for the sunken dredge, with a view to working out emergency modalities for the removal of the dredge, the ministry said.

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