Sections of the trail linking Region Nine to the coastland have started to deteriorate after recent heavy rains, leaving both residents of the Lethem border community and motorists on edge.
Reports out of the region are that there have been prolonged periods of rainfall within the past two weeks and the waterways in the South Rupununi area have swollen to threatening levels.
Region Nine Chairman Clarendo Lucas told Stabroek News yesterday that the area experienced substantial amounts of rainfall within the past two days. He said he received reports yesterday from the South Rupununi area which indicated that the creeks there have been overtopping. He added that although he did not have an update on the Lethem/Georgetown trail, but efforts were being made to have frequent updates on its condition.
Lucas also expressed hope that the rain would not have the damaging effect on the region as it did last year, when traffic was virtually cut-off after sections of the trail south of the Kurupukari Crossing, on the Essequibo River, washed away.
Reports are that the trail has been slippery and slushy at various sections, including the dreaded Cork Wood area, located some 10 miles south of the Kurukupari Crossing. However, minibus operators said yesterday that traffic is still able to pass through the area, albeit at a slow pace.
A route 94 minibus driver told this newspaper yesterday that he departed Lethem over the weekend for the city and took more than the average 15 to 16 hours to travel to Georgetown. He said that he departed Lethem during heavy rainfall and the rains continued throughout most of the journey between the border community and the Kurupukari Crossing. The man said he had to exercise extreme caution as sections of the road were wet and slippery.
Another operator noted that the May/June rains anticipated by many persons who use the roadway to travel between Georgetown and Lethem are only days away and according to him, many are preparing for the worst. He suggested that “too late may be the cry” for Works Ministry and regional officials to attend to the roadway as the rains near.
Lethem residents told Stabroek News yesterday that the community had experienced rainfall almost daily within the past two weeks, while many have been keeping abreast with latest developments regarding the trail.
In a letter published in this newspaper last Friday, a contributor pointed out that the headwaters of most of the rivers in the region were swollen and a number of areas were inundated. According to the writer, problems associated with the Hunt Oil Stretch, which had deteriorated last June during persistent rainfall, may be much wider this year based on recent evidence. The writer noted that prior to 2009, the government had promised to concrete the 37 bridges which lie along the roadway between the Essequibo River crossing and Lethem, given the increased traffic by larger and heavier vehicles.
The letter writer questioned the effectiveness of works undertaken by the Mekdeci Mining Company, even though its toll rate remains the same.
Additionally, according to the writer, a number of accidents have occurred along the roadway this year, at a section called ‘Devil’s Hill,’ which minibus drivers told Stabroek News is one of the most dangerous sections. The writer said that this particular section of the roadway has been poorly maintained.
Lucas told this newspaper yesterday that works are expected to commence on the roadway and that contracts have already been awarded to this effect. However, he said that he was unsure of the start date and efforts to obtain this information from the Public Works Ministry yesterday were unsuccessful.
The Lethem trail has been a subject of major concern for residents of the border community. Many of them have cited poor maintenance and lack of pro-active planning by the authorities as being key factors contributing to its persistent deterioration.
A road works team, which had been placed along a section of the Lethem trail for maintenance, was recently removed from the area for dereliction of duty. Reports are that the team, which had been placed along the roadway late last year to upgrade and maintain the roadway between the Kurupukari Crossing and Lethem, was removed after inspections by the Works Ministry found that scheduled works were not completed.
Lethem residents have been calling on the authorities to upgrade the trail to an all-weather road and many have expressed dismay as regards the silence of the administration on a proposal made by the Brazilians last September—to pave the entire stretch of road linking the Rupununi and Georgetown. It remains unclear if the authorities have considered the proposal, which was floated when Brazilian officials met President Bharrat Jagdeo. The roadway remains a vital economic link between the two neighbouring countries.
