Minister Benn pledges support to Leguan rice millers
-two new ferry vessels expected before year end
Georgetown, GINA, September 13, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn and Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn interact with farmers at the Cane Garden embankment Leguan
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn and a team comprising senior engineers from the Ministry of Public Works and Communication recently visited the Essequibo Island of Leguan and interacted with rice millers.
Some of the concerns raised by millers are; the conditions of the road which they have to use to transport their crop, the unavailability of efficient transportation to move the crop to and fro Georgetown, losses they suffer at spring tide and the desilting of the drainage system to improve drainage and irrigation on their farm lands.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn interacts with contractors and farmers during a visit to a construction site where works are being undertaken to the road at Leguan
Minister Benn in response to the issues raised by rice millers told them that with regard to the use of the smaller ferry vessels, the fire which occurred at the Transport and Harbour’s bond recently, was a major setback as parts and machinery were lost.
He also said that with the three boats now available, the operation of the vessel will be scheduled so as to accommodate transporting of the soon to be harvested rice crop to Georgetown.
Recently, a $93.4M drainage sluice was commissioned in Waterloo, which is designed to drain 2,000 acres of farmland, which is half the amount of cultivated land in Leguan. The sluice will benefit both the farmers and will be used to drain the housing areas affected by the backlands water. Apart from the sluice, the revetment was built leading to the river.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn interacts with residents and farmers at Leguan
Therefore with rehabilitation works executed at the Cane Garden embankment, residents, mostly farmers will no longer be affected by over topping during the spring tide.
“The construction of the roll on, roll off stellings at Supenaam and Parika… and the anticipated two new ferry vessels from China, before the end of the year… when it all goes into operation, those other vessels will be free to make more adhoc or scheduled trips between the Island since the larger vessels would not come to Wakenaam or Leguan,” Minister Benn said.
Rice millers were also given the assurance that the drains will be desilted when the Ministry’s excavator arrives on the Island. Machinery will be made available for the grading of the roadways they have to use to transport their crop.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn interacts with residents and farmers at Leguan
Chief River and Sea Defence Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn informed millers that preparatory work has already commenced at the Cane Garden embankment which saw sandcrete bags being placed along the facing of the embankment; which will serve to avoid over topping during spring tide. Permanent works are expected to commence shortly.
Marcel Mangal, Engineer in charge of project works in Leguan, informed the millers that the agricultural roads, particularly the roads ways from Doorn Haag to Uniform and Enterprise to Success pump station will soon undergo rehabilitation.
Minister Benn also took the opportunity, whilst in Leguan to visit a few of the sites where rehabilitation works are being executed and engaged the contractors in dialogue.
-two new ferry vessels expected before year end
Georgetown, GINA, September 13, 2011
Source - GINA
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn and Chief Sea and River Defence Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn interact with farmers at the Cane Garden embankment LeguanMinister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn and a team comprising senior engineers from the Ministry of Public Works and Communication recently visited the Essequibo Island of Leguan and interacted with rice millers.
Some of the concerns raised by millers are; the conditions of the road which they have to use to transport their crop, the unavailability of efficient transportation to move the crop to and fro Georgetown, losses they suffer at spring tide and the desilting of the drainage system to improve drainage and irrigation on their farm lands.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn interacts with contractors and farmers during a visit to a construction site where works are being undertaken to the road at LeguanMinister Benn in response to the issues raised by rice millers told them that with regard to the use of the smaller ferry vessels, the fire which occurred at the Transport and Harbour’s bond recently, was a major setback as parts and machinery were lost.
He also said that with the three boats now available, the operation of the vessel will be scheduled so as to accommodate transporting of the soon to be harvested rice crop to Georgetown.
Recently, a $93.4M drainage sluice was commissioned in Waterloo, which is designed to drain 2,000 acres of farmland, which is half the amount of cultivated land in Leguan. The sluice will benefit both the farmers and will be used to drain the housing areas affected by the backlands water. Apart from the sluice, the revetment was built leading to the river.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn interacts with residents and farmers at LeguanTherefore with rehabilitation works executed at the Cane Garden embankment, residents, mostly farmers will no longer be affected by over topping during the spring tide.
“The construction of the roll on, roll off stellings at Supenaam and Parika… and the anticipated two new ferry vessels from China, before the end of the year… when it all goes into operation, those other vessels will be free to make more adhoc or scheduled trips between the Island since the larger vessels would not come to Wakenaam or Leguan,” Minister Benn said.
Rice millers were also given the assurance that the drains will be desilted when the Ministry’s excavator arrives on the Island. Machinery will be made available for the grading of the roadways they have to use to transport their crop.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn interacts with residents and farmers at Leguan
Chief River and Sea Defence Officer, Geoffrey Vaughn informed millers that preparatory work has already commenced at the Cane Garden embankment which saw sandcrete bags being placed along the facing of the embankment; which will serve to avoid over topping during spring tide. Permanent works are expected to commence shortly.
Marcel Mangal, Engineer in charge of project works in Leguan, informed the millers that the agricultural roads, particularly the roads ways from Doorn Haag to Uniform and Enterprise to Success pump station will soon undergo rehabilitation.
Minister Benn also took the opportunity, whilst in Leguan to visit a few of the sites where rehabilitation works are being executed and engaged the contractors in dialogue.
