New  Charity Wharf to feature floating dock, accommodate larger vessels

A new $880 million multi-purpose wharf is being constructed in Charity, Region Two, to replace the current dilapidated port facility.

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, on Friday announced that construction work will commence immediately.

The project has been in development for several years, with significant emphasis on community involvement to ensure the new facility meets the satisfaction and critical needs of residents.

“When we do something, it is not just about the money, it is not just about the contractors, it is about you, the beneficiaries, the end users.

We want to ensure that people are satisfied, they are fully aware, and that their inputs are considered,” Minister Edghill emphasised during the project launch.

The Charity Wharf has long been an essential hub for the movement of goods and commerce in the Essequibo region.

The construction of the new concrete wharf, with a frontage of approximately 140 feet, will significantly enhance these operations.

The port facility will feature a floating link-span bridge and dock, allowing for the docking of much larger vessels than the current structure can accommodate.

Minister Edghill stated that, following discussions with stakeholders, the government has envisioned incorporating deck space for the storage of goods and the potential implementation of loading mechanisms for the offloading and seamless transportation of cargo.

The new wharf will also accommodate the docking of boats and medical vessels traversing the Pomeroon River.

As part of the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, the minister revealed that three wooden boats are being built to enhance the transportation of agricultural produce.

“In the Pomeroon, you will be getting a brand-new goods-carrying boat to bring farmers’ produce to the wharf that is being built. The boats will be operated by the government to ensure that farmers can get their produce to the market,” he said.

The remaining boats under construction will transport farmers’ produce from the Demerara and Berbice rivers to destinations where they can be sold and even exported.

The Public Works Minister noted that the contract for the project was publicly tendered, evaluated, and approved by the Cabinet before being awarded by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

Contractor S. Jagmohan Contracting Services, based in the region, will execute the wharf’s construction.

The project will commence with pile driving and the establishment of a contractor’s site office.

The construction has a timeline of 24 months.

The minister was accompanied by Chief Sea and River Defence Officer Kevin Samad, Senior Engineer of Sea and River Defence Jermaine Braithwaite, Chief Works Officer of the Works Services Group Ron Rohoman, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, and other regional representatives. (DPI )

Minister Edghill speaks at the launch