Officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will benefit from knowledge
in the drilling of wells when a South Rupununi project comes on stream
later this year.
As part of a Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on
Technical Cooperation signed between the Presidents of Guyana and
Brazil, to develop infrastructure projects, the Brazilian Army
Engineering and Construction Battalion (BEC) is expected to drill
eight wells in eight South Rupununi villages to provide water security
during the dry seasons.
Well-drilling operations will be jointly executed by the Engineering
Corps of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and BEC commencing from
September 27, 2018, at Shea, Maruranau, Awarewaunau, Churikadarnau,
Aishalton, Karaudarnau and Baishaidrum.
Commander, Engineer Corps, GDF, Colonel Gary Beaton, told the
Department of Public Information (DPI) that the GDF would provide a
team to understudy the Brazilian army during the execution of the
project.
“As part of a practical examination, GDF will then be required to
drill two of the eight wells with supervision from BEC. At the end of
the project we will have the capacity to drill wells as part of our
operation,” Colonel Beaton explained.
GDF has also been tasked with the rehabilitation of the road which
leads from Karaudarnau to Baishaidrum. The works must be completed by
the end of October for the arrival of the BEC for their inspection
before they drill the wells.
Following an inspection of the 70-kilometre trail, Colonel Beaton said
only 20 per cent of the trail can be currently traversed by four-wheel
vehicles.
“We have a lot of work to do to improve the trail so that it can be
travelled by well drilling machines which can weight up to or more
than 50 tons. Given the timeframe, we can assist and accomplish 50 per
cent of that work so it will be best to have a contractor do the
remaining 50 per cent.”
