Georgetown: After six deadlines and over two years of delays, the $3.6B Hope/Dochfour Canal is finally complete. But its grand commissioning is awaiting the availability of President Donald Ramotar, according to Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
While he was at the time unable to release details about the final cost of the project, Dr. Ramsammy insisted that the project was within its estimated budget. The Minister said that there are some last-minute finishing touches to be done, but if Guyana requires its use tomorrow, “it is definitely ready to kick in.”
Ramsammy said that despite all the challenges the project has faced over the years, he is “very happy” that it is finally completed and emphasized that it is another testimony of the commitment of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) in delivering on its promises to the people.
The Hope Canal project has been deemed to be one of the largest infrastructure programmes in Guyana’s history. It has been purported that the relief channel would have the capacity to withstand floods greater than that which occurred in 2005.
It was also constructed to ease the pressure of water on the East Demerara Water Conservancy at times when it reaches its maximum capacity, releasing it into the Atlantic Ocean, via a sluice.
Since an 18-month completion period was earmarked after construction started in February 2011, the project was plagued by many problems. Some were cited to be mainly the fault of parts needed for the project taking too long to reach Guyana’s shores and the negligence of the contractors during the construction of the canal.
The three contracted companies for the project were Dipcon Engineering, BK International and Courtney Benn Contracting Services.
There were talks of cost overruns on the project and even conflicting stories between Ramsammy and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, on the matter. Ramsammy had contended that there weren’t any cost overruns, but Dr. Luncheon asserted that there had to be, with a project that missed so many deadlines.
But disclosure on that matter or even the possibility of the contractors facing any sort of punishment for their contributions to the delays of the project is yet to be disclosed.
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