The long anticipated rehabilitation of Casuarina Drive, Watooka, Linden has started and as a result traffic has been able to traverse a little easier.
The road, which has been in a deplorable state for a number of years, has seen short-lived periodic temporary repairs.
Recently, staff of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), taxi drivers and other commuters had threatened to block the road for a second time in protest action to demand the commencement of the rehabilitation.
Early in July, contracts valued at approximately $13 million were awarded for the rehabilitation of the road. $6.9 million were awarded to Sukram and Associates for the rehabilitation of the road, while over $5 million were awarded to McRae Contract-ing for the drainage works.
Stabroek News understands that money for mobilization was paid to Sukram and Associates, which has not commenced work to date. However, McRae Contracting had commenced work on the drains along the road. Heavy rainfall in Linden yesterday would have put paid to much of this work.
The extensive delays in the execution of capital and current projects in the region have been condemned by Minister within the Ministry of Local Government Norman Whittaker, as he noted well over $200 million would likely have to be returned to the treasury.
To avoid this Whittaker had advised Regional Execu-tive Officer Yolanda Hilliman to take swift action to ensure the funds are spent in a timely manner on the projects for which they were allocated.
Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon was also challenged to stay on top of the situation.
Casuarina Drive is the only entrance to the Watooka Club and Guest House, which is the main venue for state visits, and the Linden branch of the National Communications Network.
It is also the key access road to Fair’s Rust, Watooka, Richmond Hill, Coomacka and the Upper Berbice River communities including Ituni and Kwakwani.
