THE East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel Public Road Bridge at Hope was commissioned yesterday by President Donald Ramotar.And he noted that the bridge, one of three components of the US$15M Hope Canal project, is a quintessential infrastructural investment, particularly because of the economic and humanitarian importance.

Expounding on the latter, Ramotar explained that in the past government had been faced with the uneasy choice of opening the Lama and Maduni sluices, in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice), when the EDWC overtops or risk massive flooding of coastal residential areas.
The Hope Canal project is expected to be the answer to the flooding experienced in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary (MMA) areas during rainy periods and would be operational as the rainy season sets in.
Residents in the MMA area over the years have lost crops and cattle in floods, during the rainy period. As seen in the past, when the Maduni sluice has to be opened to drain the EDWC, residents in the MMA area have to battle a rise in the Mahaica Creek – making the completion of the Hope Canal something that is much needed.
According to Ramotar, the Hope Canal provides a much needed outlet for improved drainage capacity to ensure that the EDWC does not overtop.
The President added that the project represents an investment in infrastructure, which is only part of the infrastructure works envisioned to facilitate greater economic growth and improved livelihoods.
He pointed out too that the Hope Canal project contributes to Guyana’s increased capacity, as it relates to food security and the ability to supply the Caribbean Region’s food needs.
The Head of State also called for acceleration of works on the three other components of the Hope Canal project.
The other three components of the project are the head regulator, the 10-kilometre channel between the EDWC and the conservancy head regulator and the Hope Canal’s outfall sluice, an eight-gate sluice at the canal’s Atlantic end.
The latter, Ramsammy said is approximately 70 per cent complete and works on the others are well over 80 per cent.

CLIMATE CHANGE READINESS
The minister added that the project is tangible recognition of the climate change threat.
He stated that the Hope Canal project is one of the climate change adaptation measures that have been employed by Guyana.
Ramsammy made it clear that Guyana is one of the countries in the world that has not only acknowledged climate change, but is also acting on that acknowledgment.
“This is a signal achievement for Guyana,” the minister said.
He noted too that the project is also part of the Government of Guyana’s “ambitious” flood strategy.
According to him, the completion of the bridge was a project that challenged those involved, as well as tested their patience.
However, he assured of continued efforts to ensure the completion of the overall project within budget.
Ramsammy stressed that the achievement is one that ought to be celebrated, given that it was a Guyanese achievement – a project that involved Guyanese designers, engineers, contractors and workers.
“The project is also paid for by Guyanese taxpayers,” he said.
The bridge was open to traffic soon after it was commissioned and on hand at the ceremony was Minister of Transport, Robeson Benn, who lauded the benefits of the infrastructural investment.
He also congratulated those involved in the project on the achievement.
Chief Executive of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth made it clear that the completion of the bridge is an integral component to the overall project.
Representatives from the contracting service, DIPCON Engineering Services Limited, and the project’s consultant, CEMCO/SRKN’gineering, were also on hand expounding on the challenges of the project and its benefits.
Construction on the project began in February 2011, with an estimated 18 months for completion and the deadline for the project was initially set for June of last year, but was subsequently extended to the end of August, and then once again extended to December 31.
Works are reportedly continuing at an encouraging pace, with an expected completion date within the first quarter of 2014.
Written By Vanessa Narine