Govt looking to develop and expand main ports

By Samuel Sukhnandan –

Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn has promised to further develop the maritime and transport sectors. Benn said “your turn is next”, while addressing a large audience at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday evening that gathered for the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG) annual dinner and awards ceremony. The minister revealed that plans are in place to develop several new ports and addressing issues at existing ports, particularly Georgetown.
The transport minister said it is an exciting and challenging time for the sector.

Therefore, proper discussions are necessary so that the right approaches are taken. Benn urged the association to make good use of the opportunities, as government moves to ensure that these goals are achieved and that development takes place. He said serious attention will be given to upgrading the Georgetown port and dredging of the Demerara channel, which has been a long-standing issue.
There are also plans in the pipeline to develop a port at Linden and another at the Berbice River, which will expand the link between Guyana and Brazil. Benn pointed to other developments, which will directly benefit the shipping industry. According to him, within the next two years, manganese will have to be shipped out of the North West District, as systems are being put in place to re-develop the manganese operation there.
In addition, over the next five to seven years, an alumina plant will be developed in the interior of Guyana, with plans of producing no less than one million tonnes of that material per year. This will also require the support of the shipping industry.
With the expansion of the gold industry and plans to increase rice production, the requirement for shipping will be expanded and there will be a greater deal of business opportunities for the entire local shipping industry.
Meanwhile, Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA) President Grantley Stephenson commended the local arm for their contribution to Guyana’s maritime sector and said although the association is young, it has great potential to help modernise the sector with the support of government for the benefit of all Guyanese.
The CSA president said development of the Georgetown port at this time is crucial for the Guyanese economy. Stephenson said major development projects will never move as fast as people hope or expect, especially when it rests on the forging of alliances across sectors and sub-sectors.
He therefore urged the SAG to be patient, but to remain focused on the long term objectives of the project.
He congratulated the SAG for working with the government and being able to identify the tasks and projects which need to be completed, as part of the development of a modern port facility. This plan was submitted to the government in February.
“I sincerely hope that your wishes and expectations for the dredging of the Demerara channel will become reality,” he added. This project is particularly important for development and has historical significance to Guyana.
This initiative to modernise the Georgetown port he said, should not be seen by the citizens as merely a shipping project; an initiative to benefit only those in the maritime sector, because it is not. On this note, he urged the association to educate citizens on this development.
Rich dividends
“It is no secret that well-developed ports and harbours, along with efficient roads and waterways will yield rich dividends for a people. The move towards development of maritime facilities in developed and emerging economies is instructive,” Stephenson added.
He said it is heartening in Guyana that the public and private sectors are trying to come together to make the upgrading and modernisation of the main port happen in the shortest possible time. He believes that Guyanese deserve no less than total collaboration of all stakeholders in this quest for development.