The remote community, which has no road access, relies heavily on the airstrip as its primary connection to the rest of the country for critical medical, agricultural, and other supplies.

The upgrade is expected to enhance transportation services, improve tourism and commerce, and strengthen connectivity for communities across the region.

Additionally, Joe Jagmohan, Managing Director of International Import and Supplies, made a substantial donation to the community on Wednesday.

Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar facilitated the handing over of a range of machinery and equipment totaling $160,000,000 during his visit to inspect the rehabilitation works.

The residents received four excavators, one roller, two jackhammers, one asphalt kettle, one tractor-tiller, and two plate compactors, aimed at supporting the community’s livelihoods, which forms part of the government’s continued commitment to supporting development in hinterland communities.

The post Paruima Airstrip Upgrade Completed; Community Receives $160M in Equipment Donation from Contractor appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

As part of the works, a concrete apron will be constructed to accommodate parking for two aircraft, along with taxiway adjustments to ensure safer and more efficient manoeuvring. The Ministry of Public Works is supplying all materials, equipment, tools, and technical guidance, while members of the Aishalton community are providing both skilled and unskilled labour to carry out the works.

Project Manager Mr. Colin Gittens highlighted that the works are progressing steadily, with the concrete pouring phase now underway, marking a significant milestone in the overall completion of the airstrip.

The post Government upgrades Aishalton Airstrip in South Rupununi appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

1) Start with community-first planning

• Co-design: Engage village councils, teachers, health workers, and youth early. Map daily use patterns, cultural considerations, and seasonal access constraints.

• Right-sizing: Align room counts, circulation, and storage with current demand and forecast growth (e.g., school roll, clinic patient loads).

• Phased delivery: Design for modular expansion—so additions don’t disrupt core services later.

2) Choose sites with resilience in mind

• Flood and wind: Prefer naturally elevated ground; use raised plinths or stilts where needed. Orient buildings to minimise wind load and maximise cross-ventilation.

• Ground conditions: Conduct basic geotechnical checks. In soft lateritic or riverine soils, adopt proper sub-base and foundation systems (raft, strip with tie beams, or driven piles as appropriate).

• Access and logistics: Plan reliable boat/road approaches for materials during wet seasons.

3) Build climate-smart, low-maintenance envelopes

• Roofing: Specify corrosion-resistant profiles with cyclone clips, proper purlin spacing, and wide gutters feeding storage tanks.

• Walls & finishes: Use durable masonry or fibre-cement systems with breathable, mildew-resistant coatings; avoid moisture traps.

• Flooring: Non-slip, easy-to-clean finishes (e.g., trowel-finished concrete with hardeners or heavy-duty vinyl in clinics).

• Shading & ventilation: Deep overhangs, verandahs, louvres, and high-level vents reduce heat load and running costs.

4) Prioritise water, sanitation, and energy independence

• WASH: Integrate rainwater harvesting, filtration, and hygienic storage. Provide gender-responsive, accessible toilets with septic systems designed for local percolation rates.

• Power: Combine solar PV with battery storage and efficient appliances; include a small generator for contingencies.

• Lighting & cooling: LED fixtures, ceiling fans, reflective roofing, and cross-breezes reduce the need for air-conditioning.

5) Specify the right materials—and protect them

• Concrete: Use graded aggregates and verified mix designs; cure properly to reach design strength.

• Timber: When used, select durable species and pressure-treat; detail to avoid standing water.

• Steel: Hot-dip galvanise external steelwork; use stainless fasteners near the coast.

• Doors & windows: Prefer hollow-metal or uPVC frames with insect screening; include security grilles where appropriate.

How IIS helps: We source compliant cement, reinforcing steel, structural timber, roofing systems, fasteners, and sealants, and coordinate deliveries to remote sites to keep schedules on track.

6) Design for inclusion, safety, and dignity

• Accessibility: Ramps, handrails, tactile cues, wider doorways, and accessible WCs are non-negotiable.

• Safeguarding: Clear wayfinding, secure perimeters, adequate night lighting, and sightlines for supervision (especially for schools and clinics).

• Indoor environmental quality: Low-VOC paints, daylighting, and acoustic control in classrooms and waiting areas.

7) Adopt robust procurement and transparent costs

• Scope clarity: Bills of quantities should match fully coordinated drawings (architecture, structural, electrical, plumbing).

• Value engineering: Compare life-cycle cost, not just upfront price—especially for roofing, coatings, and power systems.

• Local content: Engage village labour and MSMEs where feasible, with on-site training and clear safety standards.

8) Plan construction with logistics at the core

• Seasonal scheduling: Sequence foundation and external works for drier windows; stockpile critical materials before the rains.

• Site set-up: Covered storage, secure tool cages, and rain-proof cement handling prevent losses.

• Transport: Mix of river, trail, and road transport often applies—coordinate legs to avoid downtime.

How IIS helps: Beyond materials, we provide equipment, spares, and field maintenance support—reducing the risk of stoppages due to breakdowns or stockouts.

9) Enforce safety, quality, and documentation

• HSE: Daily toolbox talks, PPE compliance, first-aid kits, and safe scaffolding/working-at-height practices.

• Quality control: Concrete slump tests, rebar inspection checklists, electrical megger tests, and pressure tests on plumbing.

• Records: Site diaries, materials tickets, photo logs, as-built drawings, and O&M manuals handed over at completion.

10) Commission thoroughly—and train end-users

• Systems testing: Verify lighting levels, socket circuits, water pressure, fire extinguishers, and accessibility features.

• User training: Show caretakers how to maintain gutters, tanks, filters, solar inverters, and standby generators.

• Defects period: Agree a clear defects liability plan with response times, spares, and contacts.

11) Make maintenance part of the design

• Preventive plan: Quarterly inspections for roofs, gutters, seals, and paint; annual checks for solar arrays and batteries.

• Spare parts: Keep filters, bulbs, hinges, and paint on hand; standardise fixtures to simplify replacements.

• Local capacity: Train village maintenance teams and establish simple reporting channels for issues.

12) Use digital tools for control and transparency

• Project controls: Simple mobile apps (photos + checklists) track progress, snags, and deliveries—even offline.

• Asset registers: QR-code equipment for warranty tracking and preventive maintenance reminders.

• Dashboards: Budget, schedule, and quality indicators keep stakeholders aligned.

A practical checklist for rural public projects

1. Community engagement completed and design right-sized

2. Site selection verified for flood, wind, and access risks

3. Climate-smart envelope and ventilation detailed

4. Water, sanitation, and solar backup power integrated

5. Durable, protected materials specified and available

6. Accessibility and safeguarding are embedded

7. Transparent procurement and life-cycle costing done

8. Seasonal logistics plan confirmed; materials staged

9. HSE and quality-assurance procedures in place

10. Commissioning tests passed; O&M manuals delivered

11. Local training completed and maintenance plan active

12. Digital tracking set up for assets and performance

Why partner with International Import and Supplies

IIS is a proudly Guyanese company serving construction, mining, and industrial sectors nationwide. We combine reliable sourcing, remote-site logistics, and technical support to help public projects finish on time, on budget, and built to last. From cement, steel, roofing, and fixings to pumps, generators, and safety gear—we deliver what rural projects need, where and when they need it.

Planning a new build or upgrading an existing facility?
Let’s discuss your scope, budget, and timelines—and tailor a supply and support plan that de-risks your project from day one.

The post Building Better, Lasting Spaces: Best Practices for Constructing & Rehabilitating Public Buildings in Rural Guyana appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

Guyana’s housing demand is surging, and with it the need for reliable, future-ready infrastructure. Whether a scheme sits on the coastlands’ soft clays or the hinterland’s lateritic soils, the fundamentals are the same: plan carefully, build to standard, manage risks, and maintain proactively. Here’s a practical guide—drawn from on-the-ground realities in Guyana—for delivering infrastructure that performs for decades.

1) Start with rigorous planning and site investigations

• Master planning: Align road hierarchies, drainage, power, water, wastewater, and broadband layouts. Reserve corridors early (including future lanes, trunk mains, and greenways).

• Topography & geotechnical studies: Confirm flood levels, bearing capacity, and soil types. Coastal schemes often require preloading and subgrade stabilisation; interior sites may require cut-to-fill and erosion controls.

• Hydrology & flood modelling: Size drains, culverts, and outfalls to cope with intense rainfall and tidal influences. Incorporate detention ponds and overland flow paths.

• Stakeholder mapping: Coordinate with CH&PA, NDIA, MoPW, local NDCs/RDCs, GPL, GWI, and ISPs from the outset to avoid late redesigns.

2) Design for whole-life performance, not just first cost

• Roads: Specify pavement structures based on traffic loading and subgrade CBR. Common assemblies include stabilised subgrade, well-graded base (e.g., crusher-run), and an asphalt or concrete surface. Consider concrete in busier corridors and intersections.

• Drainage: Combine roadside swales with lined drains where velocities are high; use headwalls, wingwalls, and trash racks at culverts; provide maintenance access.

• Water & sewer: Use looped potable networks for pressure resilience; prefer gravity sewers with properly designed manholes and venting, and package plants or pump stations where needed.

• Power & ICT: Provide duct banks with spare conduits; separate utilities to safe offsets; plan street-lighting circuits for LED efficiency and future smart controls.

• Green & resilient features: Shade trees, permeable parking bays, bioswales, and rain gardens reduce runoff and heat. Elevate critical cabinets and pumps above design flood levels.

3) Build to standard with disciplined construction management

• Method statements & QA/QC: For each work item (earthworks, sub-base, base, asphalt), prepare method statements, inspection test plans, and hold points.

• Materials compliance: Verify gradation, plasticity index, compaction density, asphalt content, and concrete strength. Reject non-conforming aggregates or bitumen.

• Subgrade improvement: On weak coastal clays, employ geotextiles/geogrids, lime/cement stabilisation or staged construction with settlement monitoring.

• Drainage first: Prioritise outfalls and main carrier drains to keep the site workable in rainy periods.

• Utility trenches: Compact in layers; avoid trench settlement by bringing backfill to equal or better density than adjacent pavement.

• HSE discipline: Traffic management plans, PPE, trench shoring, confined-space protocols in manholes, and environmental controls (silt fences, wheel-wash, spill kits).

4) Drainage, drainage, drainage

• Design return periods: Use appropriate storm return periods (e.g., 1-in-10 for local drainage, higher for trunk systems) and provide freeboard.

• Redundancy: Dual outfalls where feasible; non-return valves near tidal influences.

• Lot-level controls: Enforce minimum floor levels, finished lot grading, and gutter connections so roofs don’t dump water onto roads.

• Maintenance access: Provide ramps, sumps, and access points so drains can actually be cleaned.

5) Phased delivery that keeps costs controlled

• Logical sequencing:

  1. Access road, perimeter drains, and outfalls

  2. Bulk earthworks and subgrade treatment

  3. Main utilities (water, sewer, power, ICT) and culverts

  4. Base and surface courses, kerb & channel, footpaths

  5. Street lights, signage, line-marking, and landscaping

• Interim surfacing: Use prime/tack plus an initial binder course to open roads early, then apply the wearing course near handover to avoid construction damage.

• Lot servicing: Hand over in serviced phases to accelerate housing starts while protecting unfinished areas.

6) Practical standards and documentation

• Bill of Quantities (BoQ) clarity: Pay items must reflect actual methods (e.g., “excavate, haul, place, and compact to 95% MDD” not just “earthworks”).

• As-builts & GIS: Capture surveyed as-built data (pipes, valves, manholes, invert levels, conduit routes) and store in GIS for future maintenance.

• Testing records: Keep density tests, core results, concrete cubes, pressure tests, CCTV of sewers, and lighting lux checks.

7) Procurement that delivers value and transparency

• Prequalification: Shortlist contractors with proven heavy civil experience and capacity (plant, cashflow, supervision).

• Clear specifications: Reduce ambiguity; include performance criteria and defect rectification timeframes.

• Risk allocation: Make utilities relocation, unforeseen ground conditions, and weather windows explicit.

• Local content: Engage Guyanese contractors and suppliers while maintaining quality benchmarks.

8) Sustainability and the community

• LCDS-aligned outcomes: Lower lifecycle emissions with durable pavements, LED lighting, and native landscaping.

• Community engagement: Share construction schedules, access plans, and safety notices; maintain safe pedestrian routes.

• Waste management: Segregate spoil, recycle asphalt where possible, and avoid dumping in waterways.

9) Operations and maintenance from day one

• O&M manuals: Handover maintenance schedules for roads, drains, pumps, lights, and green areas.

• Defects liability: Plan inspections before the DLP ends to catch settlement, ponding, or pavement ravelling.

• Capacity building: Train local councils/NDCs on basic road and drain maintenance, including culvert desilting and verge care.

10) Typical pitfalls to avoid in Guyana

• Under-estimating soft ground: Skipping subgrade treatment leads to early rutting and cracking.

• Inadequate crossfalls and levels: Poor grading equals ponding—and potholes.

• Trench settlement: Rushing utility backfill without staged compaction undermines pavements.

• Missing spare ducts: Retrofitting ICT and power is disruptive and expensive.

• No maintenance budget: Great infrastructure still fails if drains aren’t cleaned and shoulders aren’t maintained.

How IIS helps you deliver durable, value-for-money infrastructure

International Import and Supplies supports developers, contractors, and public agencies across the full infrastructure lifecycle:

• Materials & plant supply: Aggregates, pipes, fittings, valves, geotextiles, culverts, steel, concrete accessories, road furniture, safety gear.

• Site enablement: Temporary access roads, drainage set-up, pumps, generators, and lighting.

• Civil works support: Road formation, baseworks, asphalt paving support, kerb & channel, culverts, and small structures.

• Mechanical & electrical: Pump procurement/installation, lift stations, street-lighting poles and luminaires, switchgear, and commissioning support.

• Aftercare: Spares, maintenance kits, and rapid response for repairs and upgrades.

Outcome: Schemes that are safer, more resilient to flooding, cheaper to maintain, and ready for growth.

Quick specification checklist (copy/paste for your project team)

• Topographic & geotechnical reports completed and reviewed

• Flood model and drainage plan approved (including outfalls)

• Subgrade improvement strategy defined (stabilisation/geogrid / preload)

• Pavement design signed off with traffic loading assumptions

• Utility corridors, offsets, and duct banks coordinated (power, water, sewer, ICT)

• Access for maintenance (drains, manholes, pump stations) provided

• BoQ aligned with methods; QA/QC and testing schedule in contract

• Health, Safety & Environmental plans in place (including traffic management)

• Phasing and interim surfacing strategy defined

• As-built survey & GIS handover requirements specified

• O&M plan and budget established with the responsible party named

Ready to build right?

Speak with International Import and Supplies for supply partnerships, value-engineered options, and turnkey support on your next housing scheme’s infrastructure. Let’s deliver infrastructure that lasts—efficient, resilient, and fit for Guyana’s future.

The post Best Practices for Infrastructure Development in Guyana’s Housing Drive | International Import and Supplies appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

From the Pomeroon to the Rupununi, bridges are lifelines—connecting farms to markets, children to schools, and communities to essential services. Yet many rural crossings in Guyana sit on soft alluvium, flood-prone banks, and lateritic approaches that punish poorly designed works. Below, we share practical, field-tested best practices for building and upgrading rural bridges in Guyana—plus a clear explanation of CFA piling and where it can give you a safer, faster foundation.

1) Start with the ground beneath your feet

Why it matters: In rural Guyana, soils range from stiff laterite to peat and soft clays, often with high water tables.

Do this:

• Commission targeted geotechnical investigations (hand augers, CPTs/SPTs, groundwater levels). Even a compact programme dramatically improves design certainty.

• Map scour risk (bend locations, constricted sections, seasonal flow) and size foundations and protection accordingly.

• Consider hydraulic modelling for high-value crossings to confirm opening size, freeboard, and flow velocity under peak events.

2) Choose the right bridge form for the setting

Common, durable options:

• Precast reinforced concrete beams and deck units for durability, speed, and quality control.

• Modular steel spans (Bailey-type or contemporary modular systems) for remote sites where cranage is limited and rapid reinstatement is critical.

• Composite decks (concrete on steel girders) where weight, cost, and durability must be balanced.

Avoid under-spec’ed timber: Hardwood has heritage uses, but for primary rural routes carrying farm tractors, timber trucks, and fuel tankers, reinforced concrete or modular steel generally offer better lifecycle value.

3) Foundations that respect soft soils and floodplains

When CFA piling shines

CFA (Continuous Flight Auger) piling constructs piles by drilling with a continuous auger, pumping grout as the auger is withdrawn, then placing reinforcement into the fresh grout column. Key advantages for rural Guyana:

• Low vibration and low noise: Friendlier near communities and sensitive embankments than driven piles.

• Speed and schedule certainty: Productive in soft clays and sands with no temporary casing required in many conditions.

• Groundwater tolerance: The grout column is formed as the auger exits, reducing collapse risk in high water table soils.

• Cleaner sites: Less spoil spread than open-bored methods; easier housekeeping on small work pads.

Quality essentials with CFA:

• Record real-time logs (penetration rate, grout pressure/volume, auger withdrawal rate).

• Use integrity testing (e.g., low-strain PIT) on a sample of piles and, where critical, static load tests.

• Ensure reinforcement cage insertion is immediate and guided to the full design depth.

Other viable options:

• Driven precast concrete piles where access for a small hammer exists and vibration is acceptable.

• Micro-piles for constrained abutments or retrofits.

• Shallow footings only where geotechnical data proves competent strata and minimal scour risk.

4) Design for the actual vehicles and the future

Rural traffic today: 4×4 pickups, agricultural tractors, timber trucks, mining loads, school buses—and tomorrow’s loads are rarely lighter.

Best practice:

• Adopt a realistic load model (axle weights and spacing reflective of local industry).

• Provide generous cross-fall and camber, and a deck wearing course (polymer-modified asphalt or MSC concrete) to resist rutting.

• Use kerbs/curbs, barriers, and approach guardrails to standard heights; don’t skip anchor transitions.

5) Build for water first, road second

Hydrology drives resilience:

• Set freeboard (gap between water level and soffit) to clear debris during high flows.

• Provide scour countermeasures: riprap aprons, gabion mattresses, or articulated concrete blocks at abutments and piers.

• Separate the road drainage from river flow: side drains, catch basins, and culverts to keep approaches dry and stable.

6) Approaches, approaches, approaches

Most “bridge failures” are actually approach failures.

Specify:

• Well-compacted sub-base and lateritic base layers with moisture control.

• Geotextile or geogrid reinforcement where soils are weak.

• Sealed wearing courses (chip seal or thin asphalt) on short approaches to reduce erosion and dust.

• Guarded shoulders and delineators; clear sight lines in both directions.

7) Materials that beat the climate

• Cement & concrete: Use sulphate-resistant cement where required; adopt low water-cement ratios and proper curing regimes in hot, humid conditions.

• Reinforcement: Consider epoxy-coated or galvanised rebar in splash zones and tidal estuaries.

• Steelwork: Hot-dip galvanising with a durable paint system; plan for touch-up in the O&M budget.

• Fasteners & bearings: Stainless or coated systems; select elastomeric bearings sized for temperature and movement.

8) Buildability for remote sites

• Standardise spans and details to maximise prefabrication and minimise on-site casting.

• Choose modular components that fit on local trucks and can be lifted with available plant (excavator-assisted lifts, small cranes).

• Stage works to maintain a safe temporary crossing (ford, culvert, or modular single-lane) where feasible.

9) Safety and traffic management

• Short, firm closures are safer than long, informal partial closures. Communicate timelines with villages, schools, and health posts.

• Use simple traffic control (stop/go, flaggers, clear signage) and night reflectives; avoid mixing pedestrians with plant.

10) Commissioning and maintenance from Day 1

• Prepare a punch list (bearings, joints, drains, barriers, markings) and clear defect-liability timelines.

• Hand over a maintenance manual: inspection checklists, joint cleaning, vegetation control, deck patching, and re-painting intervals.

• Commit to annual inspections before and after the long rains; monitor scour markers.

Where CFA fits in upgrades and retrofits

For raising soffits, widening decks, or strengthening abutments on existing rural bridges, CFA piles can:

• Install adjacent to live structures with minimal vibration risk;

• Deliver rapid foundation capacity for new caps, pier extensions, or cantilever widening beams;

• Keep plant footprints small, a major advantage in constrained riverbanks or forest edges.

Caveats: CFA requires skilled operators, reliable grout supply, and on-site QA. In very coarse gravels or where large obstructions exist, driven or cased bored solutions may be more practical.

Environmental and community stewardship

• Align with local land-use and waterway norms; schedule in low-flow seasons to reduce turbidity.

• Manage fuel, oil, and grout responsibly; set up spill kits and lined mixing areas.

• Respect community access and culturally significant sites; hire locally and communicate early.

How IIS can help

International Import & Supplies supports rural bridge delivery end-to-end with:

• Construction materials: cement, aggregates, reinforcement (standard and coated), formwork systems, grout, admixtures.

• Modular options: steel components, bearings, expansion joints, crash barriers, guardrails, and fixings.

• Foundation solutions: CFA-ready consumables (grout, tremmie hoses, reinforcement cages), testing accessories, and on-site QA tools.

• Site logistics: fuel, PPE, signage, traffic control kits—fit for hinterland conditions.

The takeaway

Resilient rural bridges in Guyana demand soil-led design, robust hydraulic thinking, fit-for-purpose foundations (with CFA piling a powerful option in soft, wet ground), and disciplined QA/QC. Pair that with intelligent approaches, durable materials, and a realistic maintenance plan—and you get crossings that serve communities safely for decades.

Planning a new crossing or upgrading an existing one?
Talk to IIS about materials, modular options, and CFA-friendly foundation kits tailored to your site and budget. We’re here to help rural bridges go up safer, faster, and stronger—the first time.

The post Building and Upgrading Rural Bridges in Guyana: Best Practices (and Why CFA Piling Deserves a Place) appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

1) Start with purpose, pilots, and the community

• Define use cases: medevac, cargo, passenger shuttles, government services. The aircraft type (e.g., C208 Caravan, BN-2 Islander) drives runway length, surface, and load rating.

• Engage early: village councils, regional authorities, operators, and health/education services. Agree on location, hours, noise, and land use.

• Plan for growth: set aside space for future lengthening, apron expansion, and small fuel or cargo sheds.

2) Choose the site for drainage first, and everything else second

In Guyana’s wet climate, drainage is king. When comparing sites:

• Prefer high, well-drained ground with natural fall; avoid flood-prone savannah pans and swamp edges.

• Lay out the runway into prevailing winds where possible to reduce takeoff distances.

• Confirm clear approach/departure paths—no tall trees or towers within obstacle-limiting surfaces.

IIS can supply: survey stakes, flagging, marking paint, grade rods, and basic GNSS equipment for layout support.

3) Geotechnical basics that pay off

• Test the subgrade: simple DCP/CBR checks guide compaction targets and base thickness.

• Stabilise weak soils: lime/cement stabilisation or laterite blending; use geotextiles over soft spots.

• Compact in thin lifts: 150–200 mm layers with moisture control; proof-roll to reveal pumping or rutting before placing base.

IIS can supply: geotextiles, lateritic aggregates, graded base, moisture meters, plate compactors, rollers, and water trucks.

4) Runway geometry and surfaces for rural conditions

• Length & width: match to aircraft and elevation; many rural strips operate safely between 700–1,200 m length and 18–23 m width (confirm with your aviation adviser).

• Surface choices:

  • Gravel/laterite: most economical; requires grading and periodic re-sheeting.

  • Otta/chip seal or HMA asphalt (select segments): durable where budgets and logistics allow (thresholds/touchdown zones take the beating).

• Crown & crossfall: target ~2% for gravel to shed water; tie into lined side drains and culverts.

IIS can supply: culvert pipes, geogrid/geotextiles, base course, prime/tack, asphalt emulsions, and chip-seal kits.

5) Drainage details (your cheapest insurance)

• Perimeter drains: continuous, with outfalls lower than runway grade.

• Transverse culverts: at natural flow lines; protect inlets/outlets with rip-rap.

• Erosion control: grassing, biodegradable mats, and check dams on slopes until vegetation establishes.

6) Safety areas, markings, and simple nav aids

• Runway strip & RESA: maintain a graded, obstacle-free margin (clear stumps, rocks, anthills).

• Markings: durable white threshold bars, centreline dashes, and runway designators using traffic paint or thermoplastic where feasible.

• Wind indication: install a windsock on a frangible mast, clear of turbulence.

• Fencing & wildlife control: simple post-and-wire or vegetative barriers; manage grass height to deter birds.

IIS can supply: windsocks/masts, reflective cones, paints, frangible mounts, fencing materials, and brush cutters.

7) Lighting and operations for day-VFR first

• Start with day operations: keeps costs down and simplifies training.

• If night ops are essential, consider solar LED runway edge lights with pilot-controlled activation; add reflective taxi markers.

• Basic comms: hand-held VHF, a responsible ground contact, and a simple log for movements and field conditions.

IIS can supply: solar runway lights, reflectors, radios, lockable storage, and charging kits.

8) Build smart in the rainy season, maintain smarter after

• Construction window: schedule major earthworks and base placement in the drier months; avoid over-wet compaction.

• Maintenance plan: a light grade every 2–4 weeks in the wet season; re-sheet high-stress zones annually; keep drains clear after every heavy rain.

• Surface preservation: periodic re-rolling to tighten gravel; patch ruts and remove loose stones from touchdown zones.

IIS can supply: grader blades, replacement cutting edges, spare culverts, patch aggregate, and maintenance toolkits.

9) Simple, standardised checks (so the strip stays open)

Use a one-page checklist before and after flights:

• Standing water? Ruts >50 mm? Loose FOD on touchdown/rollout?

• Windsock visible and functional? Wildlife signs? Fence damage?

• Drains/culverts clear? Any new erosion?

• Markings legible? Cones in place?
  Document issues with photos; assign someone to close the strip if conditions are unsafe and notify operators promptly.

Ask IIS for a laminated inspection checklist and basic FOD kits.

10) Governance, permits, and good records

• Coordinate early with regional authorities and aviation stakeholders for location and operating practices.

• Keep as-built drawings, compaction logs, and maintenance records; this helps with insurance, audits, and future upgrades.

• When planning upgrades (lighting, lengthening, fuel storage), assess environmental impacts and community agreements.

How International Import & Supplies Helps

IIS is a one-stop partner for rural airstrip projects across Guyana’s interior:

• Materials & groundworks: lateritic base, graded aggregates, geotextiles, culverts, erosion control.

• Surfacing options: chip-seal kits, asphalt emulsions, prime/tack, runway marking paints and beads.

• Equipment & tools: rollers, compactors, water trucks, graders, brush cutters, survey gear.

• Safety & operations: windsocks, frangible masts, cones, solar runway lights, radios, signage.

• Maintenance support: re-sheeting aggregates, drainage spares, inspection checklists, and training for local caretakers.

Final word

In Guyana’s interior, reliability comes from drainage, compaction, and disciplined maintenance—not expensive gadgets. With the right site, simple standards, and steady upkeep, a rural airstrip can safely serve a community for decades.

Planning a new strip or upgrading an existing one?
Contact International Import & Supplies for a site walk-through, bill of quantities, and a practical sourcing plan tailored to your location.

The post Building and Upgrading Rural Airstrips in Guyana: Practical Best Practices appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

Below are practical, field-tested best practices to guide successful projects from concept to long-term operations.

1) Start with people: participatory planning and clear ownership

• Co-design with the community. Map water use (drinking, cooking, school, clinic) and seasonal access. Confirm preferred collection points and household connections.

• Define roles early. Identify the system owner (NDC, RDC, utility, or village council), operating entity, and local caretakers. Formalise responsibilities for monitoring, fees, and repairs.

• Design for inclusivity. Consider vulnerable users (e.g., the elderly, schools, health posts) and ensure gender-responsive consultation and access.

2) Assess source water and seasonality

• Test before you design. Conduct baseline testing for turbidity, colour, iron/manganese, E. coli/total coliforms, pH, and salinity. Repeat in wet and dry seasons—Rupununi and riverine areas can vary dramatically.

• Choose the right treatment train. For surface water (creeks, rivers), plan for solids removal (coagulation/flocculation + sedimentation), filtration, and disinfection. For groundwater, target iron/manganese removal and disinfection.

• Protect the source. Establish riparian buffers, control upstream contamination, and fence intakes against livestock and debris.

3) Prioritise simplicity, modularity, and scalability

• Modular units. Package treatment plants (PTPs) with skid-mounted coagulation, lamella settlers, pressure/sand filters, and chlorination allow faster deployment and easier upgrades.

• Right-size capacity. Design for current peak demand with a clear path to add more modules as the community grows.

• Standardise components. Pumps, valves, dosing sets, and instrumentation should be standard models with readily available spares in Guyana.

4) Select technologies that thrive in rural conditions

• Low-complexity options work. Slow sand or dual-media filtration with simple chlorination can be robust for many sites.

• Where water is difficult, step up. For highly turbid or colored water (rainy season), include coagulation aids, tube settlers, and backwash-capable filters. For microbial risk, UV + chlorine residual offers redundancy.

• Avoid over-engineering. Membranes and advanced oxidation are powerful but can be maintenance-intensive; deploy only with assured O&M capacity and budget.

5) Design for power variability and resilience

• Hybrid power. Combine grid (if available) with solar + battery to sustain critical operations and dosing during outages.

• Flood and climate resilience. Elevate critical equipment; design drainage around the plant; waterproof electricals; and secure tanks against wind and overtopping.

• Efficient hydraulics. Gravity where possible; use variable-speed drives to reduce energy use and protect pumps.

6) Build with durable materials for coastal and interior environments

• Corrosion resistance. Use coated steel, stainless, or HDPE/UPVC where appropriate; protect fasteners and anchor points in salt-air zones.

• Concrete quality. Proper curing, waterproofing, and protective coatings extend life in flood-prone areas.

• Local availability matters. Select pipe diameters, valves, and fittings that IIS stocks locally to reduce downtime.

7) Embed strong water quality monitoring and data

• Simple, frequent tests. Daily residual chlorine and turbidity; weekly bacteriological tests where feasible. Maintain a visible plant logbook.

• Remote visibility. Basic telemetry (SMS/IoT) can alert operators to tank levels, pump status, and chlorine feed—saving costly trips.

• Follow accepted guidelines. Align with WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality and local regulatory requirements.

8) Professional construction: QA/QC from day one

• Method statements & checklists. Earthworks compaction, formwork, rebar placement, leak testing, electrical grounding, and pressure testing should be documented and signed off.

• Pre-commissioning. Flush, disinfect, and test all lines; calibrate dosing pumps; verify alarms and interlocks.

• Handover package. As-built drawings, O&M manuals, spares list, warranty certificates, and a training record for the operator.

9) O&M first: train, stock, and fund for the long haul

• Operator training. Hands-on coaching for plant start-up/shut-down, jar testing, filter backwash, chlorine handling, and record-keeping.

• Spares & consumables. Stock filter media, gaskets, dosing pump diaphragms, and chlorine supply for at least 3–6 months—rain or road conditions can delay deliveries.

• Budget realism. Plan annual O&M: energy, chemicals, replacement parts, testing, and operator stipends. Tie the community tariff or subvention to real costs.

10) Environmental & social safeguards

• Safe sludge and backwash disposal. Use lined drying beds; keep effluent away from streams and wells.

• Chemical safety. Secure storage for chlorine, PPE, and training for handling.

• Equity & affordability. Consider lifeline tariffs or subsidies for low-income households while ensuring cost recovery for sustainability.

11) Phased upgrades for existing systems

• Start with reliability. Fix intakes, pumps, leaks, and storage before adding new treatment units.

• Add pretreatment. If filters are clogging, introduce coagulation/flocculation or lamella settlers ahead of media filters.

• Improve disinfection. Stabilise chlorine residual with accurate dosing pumps, flow-paced dosing, and better mixing.

• Increase resilience. Add elevated or ground storage to smooth peak demand and power cuts.

A practical “minimum kit” for rural plants (IIS can supply)

• Intake screens, raw water pumps with VSDs

• Coagulation/flocculation tank with rapid mixer (where needed)

• Lamella/tube settler or clarifier (for turbid surface water)

• Dual-media or pressure sand filters with a backwash system

• Chlorine dosing set (solution tank, dosing pump, injector, analyser)

• UV unit (optional second barrier for high-risk sources)

• Elevated or ground storage tanks with level sensors

• Solar-ready control panel, MCC, and basic telemetry

• HDPE/UPVC pipelines, valves, fittings, meters

• Test kits (DPD chlorine, turbidity tube/meter, pH), PPE, and manuals

Implementation roadmap (12 steps to success)

1. Community engagement & needs assessment

2. Source testing (wet and dry season)

3. Feasibility & technology selection

4. Preliminary design & budget

5. Land, permits, and environmental screening

6. Detailed engineering and procurement plan

7. Supply chain & logistics scheduling (align with rainy season)

8. Civil works and mechanical/electrical installation

9. QA/QC and pre-commissioning

10. Commissioning, water safety planning, and operator training

11. Handover with O&M package and initial spares

12. First-year performance review and optimisation

Why partner with INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND SUPPLIES

• End-to-end support. From design inputs and equipment selection to delivery, installation support, and training.

• Rural-ready inventory. Pumps, valves, filtration media, dosing systems, tanks, pipes, fittings, and test kits stocked for quick deployment.

• Local service network. Faster response times and reduced downtime for hinterland and coastal projects.

• Value & compliance. Solutions aligned with international best practices and adapted for Guyana’s conditions.

Let’s build water systems that last.

Whether you are planning a new plant in Region 1 or upgrading a community system in Region 9, IIS can help you choose the right technologies, secure reliable supplies, and deliver safe water year-round.

Contact INTERNATIONAL IMPORT AND SUPPLIES to scope your project, get a bill of quantities, or request a site visit.

The post Building & Upgrading Rural Water Treatment Plants in Guyana: Best Practices for Reliable, Safe Supply appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

Guyana’s hinterland roads are lifelines—connecting villages to health care, schools, markets, mining areas, and border communities. Yet they face heavy rains, fragile soils, steep gradients, and long supply chains. Below are field-tested best practices IIS recommends for planning, building, and upgrading durable, low-maintenance hinterland roads.

1) Plan Around the Seasons—and With the People

• Schedule wisely: Prioritize earthworks and hauling in the dry season; reserve wet season windows for light works and maintenance.

• Co-design with communities: Engage Village Councils/Toshaos early to align routes, borrow pits, and safety concerns.

• Logistics mapping: Pre-plan fuel, spares, crew accommodations, and staging yards; identify emergency “turn-around” and equipment recovery points.

2) Choose the Right Alignment

• Follow the land: Prefer ridgelines and well-drained ground; avoid floodplains where possible.

• Minimize cut/fill: Gentle horizontal and vertical curves reduce earthworks, erosion, and long-term upkeep.

• Survey smart: Use drone/GNSS surveys for quick profiles; walk the alignment to spot soft spots, seepage, and stream crossings.

3) Design for Low-Volume, All-Weather Use

• Target level of service: Design for 4x4s, pick-ups, minibuses, and medium trucks; plan occasional heavy loads (timber/mining).

• Typical structure: Subgrade → geotextile (where needed) → sub-base → lateritic/gravel base → surface (gravel, Otta seal, or chip seal).

• Where to use geosynthetics: On soft clays, wetlands, or recurring wet patches to improve bearing and reduce rutting.

4) Get Materials Right

• Laterite and gravel: Test for fines, plasticity, and CBR; blend if necessary to reach compaction and drainage targets.

• Borrow pits: Site responsibly; strip and stockpile topsoil, control drainage, and rehabilitate post-extraction.

• Moisture control: Compact near optimum moisture content; avoid “pumping” by keeping heavy rollers off saturated layers.

5) Drainage Is the Road

• Crown and crossfall: Maintain 3–5% crossfall; re-shape during routine grading.

• Side drains: Keep them continuous, self-cleaning, and protected at outlets; provide turnouts to natural drains.

• Culverts & causeways: Size for peak flows with debris allowance; install headwalls, aprons, and energy dissipation.

• Spacing rule of thumb: On steep grades or long swales, add more frequent cross-drains to prevent gully formation.

6) Choose Fit-for-Purpose Surfacing

• Engineered gravel: Lowest cost; needs periodic grading and re-graveling.

• Otta seal / surface dressing: Great for dust control and all-weather access on prepared bases; resilient to variable aggregates.

• Thin chip seals: Consider on busier sections near towns or health posts; ensure tight quality control on binder rates.

7) Earthworks & Compaction: Do It Once, Do It Right

• Layer thickness: Place in 150–200 mm compacted lifts.

• Rolling pattern: Establish method statements per material; verify with field density tests.

• Weather triggers: Pause heavy compaction during downpours; protect fresh layers with diversion berms and temporary drains.

8) Water Crossings & Wet Areas

• Fords and drift crossings: Use armored low crossings where water is shallow/seasonal; add signage and depth gauges.

• Bailey/modular bridges: Ideal for rapid deployment and future relocation; maintain decking and bearings.

• Corduroy/geo-reinforcement: In peat or deep soft spots, consider timber mattresses or geogrid with ballast.

9) Erosion & Environmental Care

• Cut/Fill protection: Grass seeding, brush layering, or biodegradable mats on exposed slopes.

• Sediment control: Install silt traps at culvert outlets and near streams during construction.

• Wildlife & community safety: Provide adequate sight distances, signage near settlements, and speed calming where needed.

10) Safety & Traffic Management

• Temporary control: Flaggers, cones, and night reflectors—especially at one-lane bridges and culvert works.

• Permanent devices: Delineators, curve chevrons, and hazard markers at drop-offs and embankments.

• Operational rules: Define safe passing bays and radio/phone protocols for remote sections.

11) Quality Assurance You Can Prove

• Simple lab + field tests: Atterberg limits, gradation, compaction, plate load/CBR where feasible.

• Daily checklists: Moisture, compaction passes, layer thickness, culvert bedding, and line/level.

• As-built data: Photograph key works; geo-tag culverts, bridges, and borrow pits; maintain a GIS/KML for maintenance crews.

12) Maintenance Starts on Day One

• Routine (weekly–monthly): Clear side drains and culvert inlets, repair berm breaches, blade ruts early.

• Periodic (6–18 months): Re-gravel high-wear sections, re-shape crown, re-seal as needed.

• After storms: Inspect crossings, slopes, and soft spots; mobilize patch teams quickly to prevent failures from spreading.

13) Smart Contracting & Cost Control

• Performance-based maintenance: Tie a portion of payment to drainage functionality, surface condition, and safety devices.

• Local employment: Train village crews for routine grading, drain clearing, and rapid patching—faster response, lower costs.

• Staged upgrades: Start with engineered gravel + strong drainage; add Otta/chip seal later as traffic and budgets grow.

Quick Field Checklist (Pin This)

• Crown & crossfall maintained?

• Side drains continuous and unblocked?

• Culverts sized, bedded, and protected?

• Soft spots treated (geotextile/geogrid/over-excavate & replace)?

• Compaction done at the right moisture and lift thickness?

• Signage, delineators, and community safety in place?

• As-built records updated daily?

How IIS Helps You Deliver All-Weather Access

International Import and Supplies supports end-to-end hinterland road delivery with:

• Material sourcing & testing: Laterite/gravel selection, blending, and QA.

• Drainage works: Culverts, headwalls, rip-rap, and erosion control systems.

• Road building & upgrades: Earthworks, compaction, engineered gravel, Otta/chip seals.

• Bridging & crossings: Modular/temporary bridges, armored fords, causeways.

• Maintenance programs: Routine/periodic packages and performance-based models.

• Community engagement: Local hiring, safety campaigns, and responsive maintenance teams.

Bottom Line

In the hinterland, drainage, materials, and maintenance determine whether a road lasts one season or many years. With the right design choices, rigorous compaction, and local partnerships, Guyana can build safer, more reliable all-weather roads—at lower life-cycle cost.

Ready to upgrade your hinterland corridor?
Contact IIS to scope materials, drainage, surfacing options, and a maintenance plan tailored to your route and budget.

The post Building Better Hinterland Roads in Guyana: Practical Best Practices appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Works Hinterland Roads Programme, this investment paves the way for improved accessibility, connectivity, and economic activities in many communities.

One of the primary initiatives is the rehabilitation of the Compound to Settlement Road in Mabaruma, undertaken by International Import and Supplies for $296.9 million. This completed project catalyses further infrastructural developments in the area.

Supreme Contracting and Supplies have significantly progressed in rehabilitating Compound Internal Roads in Mabaruma. This $198.3 million project is 40 per cent complete.
Additionally, the reconstruction of the Independence (Wharf) Road Bridge in Mabaruma, executed by Aruca Investment for $56.4 million, faces technical challenges such as unsuccessful pile driving due to boulders being encountered in the sub-base.

However, the project has reached 40 per cent completion, with a bypass constructed to mitigate disruptions in the area.

The construction of Stelling Roads in Port Kaituma, costing $189.4 million and executed by International Import and Supplies, has been successfully concluded. These upgrades enhance transportation networks, particularly for the new stelling constructed to accommodate the Indian roll-on and roll-off vessel, MV MA Lisha.

Furthermore, works have started on the internal roads in Port Kaituma (Phase 1) at a total cost of $185.3 million. GuyBiz Establishment is undertaking that project.
In Matthews Ridge, the internal roads were rehabilitated by GV Construction Inc., totalling $231.2 million.

Similarly, Blacks and Son Construction has rehabilitated internal roads in Wauna totalling $93.4 million.

Efforts are underway to rehabilitate the Rincon Main Access (Phase 1), undertaken by Mohamed Ramzanalli Khan Construction for $185.8 million.

Despite delays due to the sinking of a barge carrying essential materials, the Kwebanna to Kumaka (Phase one) rehabilitation project, undertaken by Quality Deliverer at $201.3 million, has reached 40 per cent completion.

Similarly, the rehabilitation of San Jose Main Access (Phase 2), undertaken by Aruca Investment at $89.8 million, is now 45 per cent complete, focusing on improving road conditions along a 300-metre stretch.

This progressive investment underscores the PPP/C Administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive growth and equitable development for all Guyanese. (DPI)

The post Gov’t injects $1.7B into Region One’s road infrastructure appeared first on International Import & Supplies.

ESSEQUIBO born businessman, Parmeshwar Jagmohan, known as ‘Joe’, on Sunday, commissioned a community ground at Hampton Court, which was the end result of a more than $30 million investment. The businessman who is the Managing Director of International Imports and Supplies located at Lot 15 Garnett Street, Georgetown, spent his own money to convert a five-acre rice field into a community ground. This kind gesture was done in memory of his late mother, Chano Jagmohan.

Jagmohan, during an interview with this publication, said he has fond memories of the Region Two community, where he spent most of his childhood.

He recalled that, whilst growing up, he played cricket and other sports in the community.

He said that when the Sankar family sold their lands, youths in the area had no place for recreation. He saw it fitting to establish one.

According to the businessman, the community ground will be used to promote culture, all sport disciplines and will not be confined to any religion. He said that every member of the community will have the right to use it.

He told this publication that he spent over $30 million to ensure that the ground is in a safe state and can be used for its intended purposes.

It is the businessman’s wish for the residents of the entire region to utilise the ground.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir who attended the simple but significant commissioning ceremony, said that it was more than an appreciative gesture made by the businessman.

“I appreciate the amount of work that he has put into building this facility.
Having been involved as an executive and president of the Everest Cricket Club, I know what it takes to get sporting facilities up. I urge all those who use it to take excellent care of the facility,” Nadir said.

Nadir said that he saw all the hard work and dedication that Jagmohan put into developing the ground.

Nadir said he was confident that next year’s memorial cricket match will bring massive development to the region.

Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, used the opportunity to commend Jagmohan and team for the initiative.

A softball cricket competition with 14 teams was held at the ground on Sunday. The first prize of $1 million was up for grabs. The second and third place winners were to be awarded $ 300,000 and $100,000, respectively. There was also a best player award and other special prizes, including several ram sheep for the various teams.

The post ‘Joe’ Jagmohan invests over $30M to convert Hampton Court rice field into community ground appeared first on International Import & Supplies.