Construction of a temporary diversion jetty at the Parika Stelling is expected to be finished by Monday, offering relief to truck operators who have faced reduced load limits on the Parika-Supenaam route in recent months.

Minister of Public Works Madanlall Ramraj inspected the site on Friday and confirmed the timeline in a statement posted to his official social media page. He was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vickash Ramkissoon, along with technical staff from the Ministry of Public Works.

The jetty is being constructed alongside the existing wharf. Its purpose is to allow trucks weighing over 20 tonnes to load safely onto roll-on/roll-off vessels, a class of ferry used to carry wheeled cargo across the Essequibo River. Roll-on/roll-off transport depends on stable, adequately reinforced loading points, and any weakness in that infrastructure has a direct effect on how much cargo can move and how quickly.

The need for the diversion arose after engineers inspecting the original timber jetty identified structural deficiencies. As a result, a load restriction was imposed on the structure. That restriction reduced the tonnage trucks could safely carry across, which in turn slowed the movement of goods along a route that serves as a key commercial link between Parika and Supenaam.

For operators moving agricultural produce, construction materials and other freight, the restriction was not a minor inconvenience. Reduced load limits mean more trips are needed to shift the same volume of goods, adding time and cost to journeys that many businesses in Region Two and beyond rely on. The ministry's statement noted that this impact was raised directly with Minister Ramraj by truck operators from Region Two during an earlier meeting. It was that meeting, according to the ministry, which prompted the decision to pursue the diversion jetty as a solution.

Work on the site has not been limited to the jetty structure itself. Upgrades are also underway to the tarmac on the jetty's southern side. This element of the project is intended to give heavier vehicles sufficient space to stage and manoeuvre before loading, addressing a practical concern that goes beyond the jetty's load capacity alone. Without adequate space to position larger trucks, even a structurally sound jetty could still create bottlenecks during busy periods.

Friday's inspection appears to have been intended to verify progress ahead of the stated completion date. The presence of both the Public Works Minister and the Agriculture Minister points to the cross sectoral relevance of the project, given that agricultural goods make up a significant share of the freight moved along this corridor. Technical staff from the Ministry of Public Works were also present, presumably to assess the engineering work firsthand rather than relying solely on progress reports.

If the jetty is completed as planned, the immediate effect should be a return to normal tonnage limits for trucks using the Parika-Supenaam crossing. That would ease pressure on operators who have had to adjust their logistics in response to the restriction, though the government has not indicated whether the diversion jetty is meant as a lasting fix or a temporary measure while further work is carried out on the original structure. No timeline has been given for any permanent repair or replacement of the timber jetty that prompted the load restriction in the first place.

The Ministry of Public Works has not stated how long the diversion jetty is expected to remain in use once completed, nor has it detailed the total cost of the works. Further information on those points is expected to follow as the project nears its Monday deadline.

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