return to normal for navigation on the Oyapock, towards an improvement on the Maroni

return to normal for navigation on the Oyapock, towards an improvement on the Maroni
return to normal for navigation on the Oyapock, towards an improvement on the Maroni

A return to normal is taking shape in Guyana, after more than a month and a half of intense drought marked by supply difficulties for the municipalities located on the Oyapock and Maroni rivers. Still in force, the ORSEC water plan launched on October 28, should be reduced in the coming weeks.

The return of rain in Guyana is synonymous with the return of navigation on the Oyapock and part of the Maroni rivers. An improvement is emerging after a month and a half of intense drought in our department.

At the end of the weekly crisis monitoring meeting organized by the prefecture with mayors, the president of the CTG, and parliamentarians, the authorities took stock, Wednesday, December 10, of the ORSEC water plan.

“We have decent rainfall consistent with what we usually experience, which translates into an improvement in the situation on the Oyapock, explains Jérôme Millet, sub-prefect and chief of staff of the prefect of Guyana. On the Maroni, the improvement is less pronounced.”

The very low level of the Maroni River at Maripasoula

©Laura Philippon

The ORSEC water plan was launched on October 28 by the prefecture. Faced with low river levels, many communities had become inaccessible by canoe. To ensure the continuity of the supply of essential goods, state services have organized airlifts.

Following the return to normal on the Oyapock, readjustments are planned. “The prefect announced that we would put an end to air transport organized by the FAG, Guyanese Armed Forces, for the benefit of Oyapock at the end of the week, once the stock of foodstuffs has been sold” , explains Jérôme Millet, sub-prefect and chief of staff of the prefect of Guyana.

On the other hand, the transport of freight and foodstuffs by air by the FAG, the Guyanese Armed Forces, remains in force on the Maroni.

The prefect extended the requisition of civilian helicopter resources for the benefit of EDF to transport fuel for the Maripasoula and Papaïchton power stations.

Jérôme Millet, chief of staff of the prefect

The authorities also closely monitor the safety of school transport by canoe. In recent weeks, the journey was often chaotic for school students from Loca who went to school in Papaïchton via the Maroni.


It is 6 a.m. when the students from Loca board the canoes which take them to the Papaichton college.

©Laura Philippon

“We continue to monitor the flow rates, that of the Oyapock has risen sharply, and navigation is possible again, but that of the Maroni continues to be insufficient on part of the river”adds Jérôme Millet.

The situation has improved in the Saint-Laurent du Maroni sector in Grand Santi. “On the other hand, navigation and transport of heavy cargo remains complicated between Grand Santi and Maripasoula and beyond,” specifies the chief of staff of the prefect.

For the future, a bit of optimism wins over the authorities. “We are following the weather forecasts, and we hope that within a week, the situation will have improved further on the Maroni”adds Jérôme Millet.

After the management of this “drought crisis”, it will be time to take stock. “It will surely be appropriate to anticipate certain elements in the future to prevent the population from being confronted with too many difficulties, particularly in terms of food freight,” recognizes Jérôme Millet.

From the first weeks of drought, many residents of Maripasoula and Papaïchton denounced a lack of anticipation on the part of state services regarding the supply of these municipalities.

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