In efforts to establish and sustainably maintain a modern, robust and accurate national geodetic positioning network for the country, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) on Wednesday signed a $93M contract with British firm, Ordnance Survey International (OSI) to provide consultancy services for the Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Network Project.
According to GL&SC Head, Trevor Benn, the project is expected to be highly complex with a specialised blend of technical work to be undertaken. To this end, he noted that the British firm was chosen given its expertise and experience.
It was also outlined that the company also has a history of working in Guyana and understands the role of GL&SC as the national mapping and geospatial agency.
“Given the mistakes that were made before and the lack of use of the previous network, GL&SC expects that this consultancy will provide world-class standards, knowledge, expertise and experience to help us to be able to sustainably manage and maintain the network,” Benn noted.
The CORS Network Project is expected to be completed before the end of the calendar year and in brief remarks, State Minister Joseph Harmon said that he hopes the project is executed within the given time frame.
“[The project] will so also help the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to gather information, set targets and indicators, and develop sustainable land-use policies that are in line with the implementation of our Green State Development Strategy and the establishment as ‘Green State’… [Government] is of the expectation that central objectives of this project are achieved in keeping with its guidelines,” he posited.
Meanwhile, CEO of OSI, Peter Hedlund, highlighted the importance of establishing and developing the CORS Network.
“In any industry, having a solid CORS network in place is the key foundation of surveying and mapping and demonstration – something I know is very close to the heart of Commissioner Benn and the function of the GL&SC to change for the future,” Hedlund posited.
As part of efforts to revolutionise the GL&SC through the use of innovative technology, the CORS Network is just one of the strands that is being employed. The project will see the development of “good base-data” that will aid various sectors particularly the construction industry.
Seven years ago, a similar network project was initiated. However, while eight stations were set up across the country and equipment were procured, the project did not follow through.
