Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Engineering Corps have embarked on several infrastructural projects in various communities countrywide.
According to the GDF, ranks have already commenced works for the construction of lightweight vehicular bridges at Catherine, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.
Similar bridges are slated for construction at Cove and John in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Prem-Nagar in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Government Projects Engineer, Brigadier Gary Beaton and a team from the Force’s Engineering Corps recently visited some of the sites where ranks are actively working to ensure the projects stick to timelines.
At Catherine, East Coast Demerara, ranks under the supervision of Lieutenant Shaquille Wilson have completed preparatory work for a lightweight two-span timber structure that connects Burma Dam to Catherine on the border with neighbouring Abary.
“We in this community wanted a bridge very long because when the rain fall, the dam gets very muddy and it’s very hard for us. My parents are also elderly and so when we need to take them out, it’s very hard for us but with the bridge being built, at least the car would be able to come closer to our home,” said Chandrawtie Sookram, a resident of that community.
Meanwhile, over at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, construction has also begun on a 90-feet lightweight vehicle bridge, under the supervision of Sergeant Quamina White.
The bridge will essentially allow for vehicles to cross the trench separating North and South Lesbeholden. It will be the second vehicle bridge for the community and will primarily benefit cash crop farmers of the community.
“This will be good for us because we farm a lot over at the northern part and many of us were inconvenienced because even though we have the footbridge, we will be happy to have a bridge that at least some vehicles could pass over,”
Lesbeholden resident, Mokshattan Persaud, said.
Meanwhile, ranks of the construction company of the Engineering Corps are also working along with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to upgrade to the restroom facilities of the Port Mourant Community Centre.
The building once housed an Information Technology (IT) Centre but has been retrofitted to accommodate male and female facilities for persons involved in sporting activities at the ground. Sergeant Kevin Adams is the site supervisor for this project.
The teams working on the projects are exclusively members of the Guyana Defence Force and are skilled personnel who are qualified in the field and have successfully completed several engineering projects both within the Force and in several parts of the country.
The Engineering Corps of the Force will be playing a heightened role in national development through the implementation of infrastructure projects within communities across the country.
This, according to the army, forms part of the Commander-in-Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision for a more community-oriented military.
The President is adamant in this vision as he seeks to sensitise communities of the developmental role that the military could play. This will also reinforce confidence in the armed forces.
According to the Commander-in-Chief, the Guyana Defence Force will play a critical role in the country’s infrastructure transformation.
