Minibus operators at Bartica are closely monitoring the repairs being done on the Bartica-Potaro road and are prepared to restart strike action if they detect shoddy works.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon said earlier this week that $16.4 million has been set aside for repairs to the roadway.
Chairman of the Bartica Minibus Association Micah Williams told Stabroek News yesterday that the group of close to a dozen minibus operators is observing the upgrades. Piles of loam and sand are being stacked along the roadway, he said, adding that equipment is being mobilised by the regional administration so that works can start. According to him, the bus operators were provided with a document which indicated that significant works will be undertaken to upgrade the roadway.
Williams said that the bus operators would prefer to see permanent works being undertaken to upgrade the roadway to the standard of a highway but he noted that the regional authorities have indicated that the finances may not be available for such work. He said that a three-member committee led by him, met with the regional authorities and they indicated that works will commence immediately on the road. The Works Ministry has dispatched an excavator which is presently working on the roadway to bring temporary relief. A member of the committee is being paid by the region to monitor the works.
At the moment, drains are being dug at both sides of the road to ensure that water which usually settles on it, is drained .Crusher run is also being plastered on various sections as a temporary fix. Reports are that from Monday, the contractor, who hails from the coastland, will commence permanent works.
Meantime, the Local Government Ministry is working along with the regional authorities in regions One, Eight and Nine to address road problems in those areas.
Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud at a briefing earlier this week said that maintenance works have commenced on internal roads in Port Kaituma and that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) has engaged the assistance of North-West District Investments in this regard.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Local Government and the Public Works ministries are collaborating to address the major works on the roads in the region. Persaud reported that engineers from both ministries have visited the area and have conducted inspection of the roads and they are preparing designs for the major works that will be executed.
The minister, according to GINA, expressed hope that by year-end all the internal roads in Port Kaituma will be transformed, “enhancing access and allowing for smoother flow for all of the road users.”
Meanwhile, contracts for the internal roads at Mahdia in Region Eight are expected to be awarded in two weeks. Persaud disclosed that the ministry has been following the guidance of the tender board having failed to secure responsive bids for the contract after twice putting it up for public tender.
Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC) has also commenced maintenance works on the road from Mango Landing on the Essequibo River to the Mahdia airstrip after being awarded the contracts for these areas.
In Region Nine, contracts have been awarded for the upgrade of the internal roads in Lethem, as well as the roads linking that community to St Ignatius. Another contract was also awarded for works to be effected to the main road from the Kurupukari Crossing on the Essequibo River to Lethem, as well as from the Karasabai Junction into Monkey Mountain.
