The Region Five administration has made $9M available to begin repairs to the deteriorating road at Burma, West Coast Berbice, which is used primarily by truckers who transport paddy to a rice milling facility in the area.
This is according to Pubic Works Minister Robeson Benn, who told the National Assembly on Wednesday that six weeks ago an examination of the road was carried out by the Works Ministry and an estimate of $80M was produced for complete repairs to the road.
Benn made these disclosures while responding to a question from APNU MP Winston Felix, who asked about the state of the road and the timetable for repair works.
He said that while responsibility for maintenance for the road falls under the Local Government Ministry, the Works Ministry is aware that there are various circumstances which surround the rapid deterioration of the road. He noted the late planting of rice and the subsequent movement of paddy to the mill has fuelled the deterioration of the road, with overloaded trucks using the road frequently in recent times. He also cited the weather as a contributing factor to the state of the road.
While reiterating that issues relating to the roads are with the Local Government Ministry, Benn stated that the Region Five administration has made available $9M for works to be undertaken, although the start would depend on the weather. This newspaper understands that the regional administration has put out tenders for repairs to be undertaken on the road.
The road had been in an impassable state for several months and two weeks ago truckers who ferry paddy to the Saj Rice Mill in the area had protested its condition. This newspaper understands that several trucks have become stuck along the road in recent weeks and the truckers have called on the authorities to build a new road.
