Repairs to the roadway from Bartica to Issano, estimated at $20M, are slated to begin before year-end, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said.
Last June Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn and a team of technical personnel from the public works ministry inspected the roadway up to Four-Mile, and announced that funds had been allocated to upgrade the road.
Work Services Group Co-ordinator (WSG) Rickford Lowe said preliminary surveys for the project have been completed and the ministry is waiting on submissions from contractors. Also, equipment is being procured and the necessary documents prepared to start the repairs under the $800M Hinterland Road Rehabilitation Programme. The Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani, Linden to Rupununi, Mahdia, 72 Mile, Potaro, 72-Mile junction to Issano and the Puruni roads have been identified for rehabilitation under the programme.
Benn said a number of other roadways have been identified for rehabilitation but priority is being given to those that show advanced deterioration. It is expected that several contracts for various roadways will be awarded over the next two weeks.
GINA said the hinterland road programme is being finalised by stakeholders including the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Gold and Diamond Miners Association and the public works and local government ministries.
