Parika Backdam residents allege shoddy sea defence works

Residents of Salem, East Bank Essequibo, are calling on the Minister of Public Works and other relevant authorities to investigate sea defence works being carried out in the village.

The government has set aside $2.9 billion in this year’s budget for the country’s sea and river defence systems.

According to residents, the erosion of the sea defence has been a major issue.

A barrier built two months ago that has severe cracks that will later erode the construction.

“The work should be awarded to proper contractors; they built a small concrete dam two months ago, and even had to patch it up. If the Minister come and see it now; it crack up all over. The foundation for the concrete is some sand bags. When the bags wear away and the sand come out the concrete above will obviously crack under pressure. This is what is happening.”
Adding that the workers on the sea defence project are stationed at Den Amstel, an irate resident said that the sea defence is fragile and if shoddy work is done it will not only affect the government treasury but many residents in the area.
The workers on the project seem lackadaisical. One man argued that the workers would sometimes visit the sea dam and carry out works and days later they would visit to do more works causing the water to overtop and damage the previous works carried out.
In 2006 a contractor did a part of the sea defence which halted the erosion of the soil. However, the present works being carried out are substandard and should be investigated.
According to Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber, he has no knowledge of any sea

Resident say this construction that was done in 2006 has prevented the sea water from eroding the land further and is a successful template.

defence work being carried out in Salem Village, East Bank Essequibo, and the Ministry of Public Works should be contacted. However, efforts to contact Minister Robeson Benn were unsuccessful.