Guyana 's constant battle against the sea
A GINA Feature, October 22, 2004
The low-lying coastline of Guyana is approximately 430 kilometres and so there is need for sea defences to protect the land from the Atlantic.
The Ministry of Public Works has to rehabilitate and maintain approximately 340 kilometres of sea defences between the Pomeroon River in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Crabwood Creek in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). This includes defences on the islands of Leguan and Wakenaam in the Essequibo River.
Within the Works Ministry, a Sea Defence Board is tasked with the responsibility of maintaining the sea defences with a Sea and River Defence Division - supervised by George Howard.
There are several types of sea defences. These include concrete walls (approx. 100 km); mangrove forests with earth embankments (approx. 145 km); natural sand reefs (approx. 80 km) and riprap (approx. 15 km).
What are the functions of the sea defences? They prevent the loss of land caused by erosion and stop saline flooding of the protected area. Land levels on the coastal plain are about one metre below the high tide level.
Over the last 12 years, there has been funding for sea defences from the Government of Guyana; USAID (PL480); European Union; Inter-American Development Bank; the International Development Association; the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme. From 1992 to 2004, Government has spent more than $5.7B, while international funding has amounted to over $5.6B.
"We are doing our best to protect communities along the coastal plain and riverain areas, and I hope persons appreciate it," said Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier.
The River and Sea Defence Officer, George Howard supplied GINA with the major works completed over the past few years.
Sea defences |
Metres done (m) |
Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast
Sparta, E.C
La Belle Alliance, E.C
Richmond, E.C
Henrietta, Anna Regina, E.C
Reliance (south)/Columbia, E.C
Taymouth Manor, E.C
Queen's Town, E.C
L'Union, E.C
Farm/Ruby, East Bank Essequibo
Barnwell/Vergenogen, EBE
Hague/Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara
La Jalousie/Winsdor Forest, WCD
Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara
Mon Repos/Lusignan, ECD
Craig, EBD
Bel Air/Mon Chosi, WCB
Trafalgar/Union, WCB
No. 77, Corentyne, WCB
No. 79, Corentyne, WCB
Sea defences that commenced this year
Pheonix, Leguan, WCD
Blenheim, Leguan, WCD
Le Destin, EBE
Ruimzilgt, WCD
La Retraite, WBD
Belladrum, WCB
Profit/Foulis, WCB |
100
450
880
300
2,000
2,500
350
100
100
1,200
1,500
500
1,500
200
2,600
200
2,200
200
400
600
250
100
200
200
100
280
1,800 |
According to Howard, with the exception of works at Queenstown, and L'Union on the Essequibo Coast, which was done with direct labour - all other works were executed by contract. Additionally, all proposed major works will go to tender.
How does the River and Sea Defence Board operate? Howard said that to execute the works, the Division has 19 technical staff, trained at tertiary level between undergraduate diploma level to post graduate level, in Civil and Mechanical Engineering.
They design new and improved sea defences; prepare tender documents; assess bid documents submitted and supervise construction.
There is the Finance and Accounting Section at the Head Office, Kingston and in each of the regional offices, a record is kept of the expenditure.
The vast majority of the staff are field workers or rangers responsible for executing works by direct labour or ensuring the quality of work executed by contractors. The River and Sea Division employs about 300 field officers.
"These persons are like the Police. They oversee everything. The Ministry provides living accommodation to senior staff in the various areas," added Minister Xavier.
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