$8M intervention to combat flooding in Speightland, Region 10

…..Hampers to be distributed in other affected communities

As one of the communities affected in Region 10, Speightland, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is expected to benefit from $8 million in emergency infrastructural works by the Ministry of Public Works. The announcement was made during an outreach to the region on Thursday, as part of government’s intervention to provide relief to citizens in flood affected areas.

Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, M.P, explained that the procurement for emergency works identified will be advertised, and opened to bids on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

The ministry is limiting the bidding process to contractors of the region only. This is important to further boost economic development there. After the tendering process is completed, works will commence immediately, with a scheduled date of no later than July 2, 2022.

One of the key components of the emergency works is revetment works on the Kara Kara Creek shoulders using geo-textile materials, and boulders to align the shoulders of the creek with the road.  Geo- textile is a modern engineering method used to increase soil stability, provide erosion control or aid in drainage. This design is intended to reduce the impact of flooding, and preserve the roadway. Further, drains will be constructed to facilitate faster drainage of water from the roadway into the creek.

“We have to look at bringing relief to people who live in these areas that are affected, and then at the same time we have to look at the engineering and other interventions that will eliminate or alleviate some of these circumstances so that people don’t have to continue to go through the suffering.”

As an immediate intervention, residents in flood affected areas such as Speightland, Rockstone, Kwakwani and Landersville will be provided with hampers supplied by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), in collaboration with the regional disaster committee.