Works to make a five-mile stretch of road at Burma, in Region Five, temporarily passable are almost completed but rice farmers and residents that use it are pessimistic about the scope of the project.
The project is being done at accost of $9M and according to Region Five Chairman Bindraban Bisnauth, the works being undertaken are 80% complete. He told Stabroek News on Monday that the scope of works involves the filling of potholes with crusher-run along the lonely stretch of road, which is used by residents of the rice farming community and to access the Saj Rice mill.
Bisnauth, who said tenders for a comprehensive overhaul of the roadway will soon be publicised, noted that the sum being spent on the relief works was made available by the regional administration. Poor weather conditions, he, however, added, have affected the completion, which was expected yesterday. The works are being undertaken by KV&B Construction Company.
When Stabroek News visited the area on Monday, there was evidence of works being undertaken, but most parts of the roadway were damaged while several pot-holed sections were further exposed to the elements. According to a rice farmer in the area, two weeks ago, soon after truckers and rice farmers protested the condition of the road, the regional authorities visited and informed that works would be undertaken there immediately. He said that several truck loads of loam were thrown “on the bad sections but when the rain fall it nah mek sense.” He added that the contractor then proceeded to drain the road and sand along with crusher run was plastered on. “It nah last long and if yo check it out this road can fix if it had proper drainage… it makes no sense put crusher run and loam and when the rain fall it ain’t keep,” the farmer said.
Another resident of the area told Stabroek News that the authorities were not getting value for money spent on the road.
He said that the contractor graded the sides of the road, leaving little options for drainage. She added that residents are aware of a long term plan by the authorities to upgrade the road comprehensively but she noted that such plans needed careful examination. “This road used to be a strong road but since plenty people coming in here to the rice mill it start deteriorate… we hoping that they strengthen the road,” she added.
Bindraban noted that a works assessment team from the regional office visited the area yesterday to assess the works done. He said that the team will report its findings within the coming days.
Last week, Pubic Works Minister Robeson Benn told the National Assembly that an examination of the road was carried out by the Works Ministry six weeks ago and an estimate of $80M was produced for complete repairs to the road. He said that Works Ministry is aware that there are various circumstances which surround the rapid deterioration of the road and noted that the late planting of rice and the subsequent movement of paddy to the mill fuelled the situation, 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.
The road had been in an impassable state for several months, with several trucks becoming stuck during recent trips and prompting calls for a new road.
