Latest update September 18th, 2026 10:25 AM
$553M Bartica stelling commissioned
The new $553 million stelling facility in Bartica commissioned
Kaieteur News – The newly extended $553 million stelling in Bartica, Region Seven, was officially commissioned on Sunday to improve transportation and provide more efficient, reliable travel for residents and visitors to the region.
The Ministry of Public Works in statement issued on Sunday, stated that the 23,000 square feet reinforced concrete stelling, constructed by K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies was commissioned by President Irfaan Ali.
The upgraded facility now provides increased space for vehicular and pedestrian ingress, egress, and parking. In addition to the main stelling structure, a new floating speedboat dock has been constructed on the northern section to facilitate water taxi operations. Other completed works include the installation of a floating link-span bridge and the rehabilitation of the existing fixed mooring ramp. The quality and standard of the completed project were praised by Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill, who noted that the retendered project was completed within its contracted sum.
“The standard and quality of work was lauded by Minister of Public Works Hon Bishop Juan Edghill, who highlighted the retendered project was executed and completed within the contract sum,” the statement read.
During the commissioning ceremony, President Ali emphasised the structural importance of the new stelling, stating that it improves docking safety and expands transportation options to and from Bartica, the gateway to the hinterland. He outlined four access routes now available to Bartica: the new stelling, the Bartica Aerodrome (which is currently being upgraded by BK International and Jags Aviation), a new road link from Sandhills through Timehri to Falmouth, and the traditional route via Rockstone and Shirima. “So, people coming to Bartica will have options; air, sea and two road routes and that is improving connectivity, accessibility and affordability,” President Ali emphasised.
The ministry also revealed plans to modernise several other stellings across the country into tourism terminals, with phase 1 already underway at the Parika Stelling. The next phase of the Bartica Stelling development will focus on the creation of a new tourism marina facility.
This recent commissioning comes after nearly eight years of rehabilitation. Kaieteur News had reported that works at the Bartica Stelling began in 2017, when the first phase was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited. That phase, completed in October 2018, involved demolishing and reconstructing the southern section of the stelling, which now houses commercial concessions and a modern passenger waiting area, supported by greenheart piles. The phase now accommodates commercial concessions and a modernised passenger waiting area.
The second phase, also awarded to the same contractor in January 2019, focused on extending the northern section to accommodate a drawbridge.
It is unclear what works took place after then, but in 2021 during a visit to the Bartica and Leguan stellings, Minister Edghill had expressed disappointment with the pace of work at those facilities.
The minister quoted in a Department of Public Information (DPI) article, noted that the project, inherited from the previous administration, was in a state of failure and riddled with poor performance and delays.
After that contractor failed to complete the works, the ministry retendered the project. In 2023, a $553 million contract was awarded to K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies, which has since completed the facility.
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