$82M stelling commissioned at Fort Island

The Ministry of Public Works’, Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) on Tuesday commissioned the new $84 Million Fort Island stelling which is the fulfilment of a commitment made by the ministry in 2021, after numerous complaints by residents.

At the commissioning ceremony, Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, M.P, said residents Fort Island in the Essequibo River urgently needed a new stelling since the island is a tourist destination.

The contract to rehabilitate the stelling was awarded to IB Contracting and Machinery Service on August, 18, 2021 and completed on March 17, 2022.  Eric Morris, a civil engineer from the ministry, supervised the work.

The stelling features a passenger walkway, a lavatory and for the first time ever, solar power. Boats travelling from Georgetown to Bartica will make stops at the island on Saturdays and Sundays. However, brief stops during the week can be facilitated. Private vessels which dock at the island will pay a loading fee.

Additionally, Minister Edghill, announced that following a meeting with the President, His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the island will receive a golf cart to assist frail, vulnerable and elderly persons to traverse the island.

The minister announced that the Independence Day flag raising ceremony being held in Region Two for the first time ever will see vessels commuting the Essequibo Coast making five trips before 18:00 hours. At 19:30 hours there will be a special service and after the flag raising ceremony at 1:30 am, vessels will also be working.

Present at the ceremony were Regional Chairperson of Region Three, Inshan Ayube, Transport & Harbours Department, General Manager, Marclene Merchant and Chairperson on the advisory board, Rosalinda Rasul.