Govt. seeking contractors to construct modern Parika Stelling
Apr 06, 2025
Kaieteur News- The government through the Ministry of Public Works is currently seeking contractors to construct a modern Parika Ferry Stelling in Region Three.
The Parika Ferry Stelling in Region Three.
This is according to an invitation for bids (IFB) issued by the ministry which stated that the Transport and Harbours Department, an agency under the ministry will be executing the project.
With no engineer’s estimate provided, the document states that phase one of the project entails the construction of concrete pile foundation, land reclamation, and stelling deck superstructure works.
The project which falls under the ministry’s capital programme for the year, forms parts of the $9.9 billion that was budgeted to the agency to improve the country’s river transportation service.
Speaking about the project during the budget presentation, Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said portion of the $9.9 billion will cater for the “Construction of a new Parika Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project effectively transforming the Parika stelling into a major regional hub for transportation and socioeconomic activities and enhance operational efficiency, prioritise safety and guarantee commuters’ comfort.”
Additionally, the new modern port is aimed at increasing trade and tourism along the Essequibo Coast.
This publication understands that the upgrading of the stelling is also to facilitate the arrival of the new Regional Ferry Service that is said to operate to Guyana from Parika.
It was reported that during his address at the opening ceremony of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Heads of Governments of CARICOM in February 2024, President Irfaan Ali said that Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados will soon launch a ferry service aimed at improving intra-regional transportation.
During a meeting with residents of Lower Bonasika in Region Three last year, the Head-of-State had mentioned that operating out of Parika, “…The good thing about here is that we could export directly to CARICOM from here, you don’t need to transport to Georgetown and all these places. That is why we are pushing so hard to get the regional ferry because the regional ferry will operate out of Parika so that we can have all of the production from these islands integrated into the regional market.”
The Parika Stelling, which borders the Essequibo River, does not only serve as a passenger loading and offloading area, but is also a waterfront where farmers take their produce from the hinterland to sell.
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