Azruddin Mohamed, a principal at Mohamed’s Enterprise and an investor in the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc. (VEHSI), announced on August 4 key support for the construction of the new Demerara Crossing. The project is one of the most important infrastructural undertakings for Guyana, which is now the fastest growing economy in the world.
Mohamed’s Enterprise said it has allocated its waterfront property at Providence, East Bank Demerara, to store essential construction materials. The property currently houses thousands of steel pipes and heavy-duty equipment required for the bridge’s construction. The storage facility has been provided to contractors without charge.
Additionally, the roll-on and roll-off facility owned by Mohamed’s Enterprise is being utilised to ensure seamless transportation of construction materials across the Demerara River. Mohamed said this logistical solution is designed to minimise disruptions to the current bridge during the new structure’s construction phase.
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The Demerara Harbour Bridge, funded with a budget of US$260 million, once completed, will serve as a vital connection, enhancing the nation’s transport network. Spanning 2.65 kilometres (km), the bridge will extend from the East Bank of Demerara to the West Bank. Entrusted to the JV China Railway Construction Corporation (International), the structure is anticipated to be a four-lane high-span cable-stay bridge, set for completion in 2024. It will have a lifespan of 100 years.
A key component of the project is its potential to alleviate traffic congestion in the east and west bank corridors of Guyana. The design of the bridge accommodates modern transportation needs, inclusive of a dedicated cycle lane and a broad driving surface of approximately 23.6 meters or 77.8 feet.
Upon completion, the Demerara Harbour Bridge is anticipated to have a transformative impact on transportation, commerce, and regional development in Guyana.
It would be useful to the development of oil and gas service facilities on or near the West Bank of the river, including the Vreed-en-Hoop shore base. VEHSI is a joint venture between NRG Holdings Inc.—a 100% Guyanese-owned consortium that is the majority shareholder – and Jan De Nul, an international maritime infrastructure company headquartered in Luxembourg.Â
NRG Holdings is owned by three businessmen – Andron Alphonso of ZRN Investment Inc., Azruddin Mohammed of Hadi’s World Incorporated and Nicholas Deygoo-Boyer of National Hardware Guyana Limited – who envisaged the creation of a commercial port and an industrial area that is consistent with the spirit of Guyana’s Local Content Act.
VEHSI forms part of the Port of Vreed-en-Hoop and is meant to be the special-purpose vehicle to serve ExxonMobil’s Yellowtail project.Â
The first phase of the project is expected to be delivered by December 2023.
