Barama willing to have Cunha Canal resuscitated

Guyana Chronicle news item, Friday 09 January 2009

http://www.guyanachronicle.com/news.html
Barama willing to have Cunha Canal resuscitated

Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, yesterday said Barama Company Limited
has indicated its willingness to facilitate any work necessary for the
resuscitation of Cunha Canal.
The project, which will significantly improve drainage in the East Demerara
Water Conservancy (EDWC), is currently operating at 40 per cent of its
capacity.
Persaud pointed out that the design and technical specifications for the
work have been completed, and upon completion, the 1.8 mile canal will
discharge about 500 cubic feet of water per second into the Demerara River.
He disclosed that efforts are being made to secure funding for the US$ 1.2 M
initiative from the Department for International Development (DIFID).
The project is part of the National Drainage and Irrigation Master Plan and
will supplement other projects to ensure efficient drainage of the EDWC.
Persaud said incremental work is being done on some components of the plan,
but pointed out when resources are available, the entire drainage system on
East Coast Demerara and the Mahaica Mahaicony and Abary areas will be
re-worked.
He said distinguished engineer from Mc Gill University, Canada Dr Chandra
Madramotto, and seasoned experts in the field Mr. Burt Carter, Mr. Paul
Sarran and Mr. Phillip Alsopp have been enlisted to provide technical advice
to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Mahaica
Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) in this
regard.