The contract for repairs to the Mango Landing to Mahdia road is being finalized but in the meantime, remedial work will be done, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn says.
He said that the remedial work should have started this week and definitely will start this weekend as the contractor is mobilizing equipment. He said that the contract is being finalized “with respect to thoroughly repairing the road.” The minister said that some changes had to be made in terms of quantities and they had to ensure that the changes are accurate and will cover the work given that it would be difficult to make variations once the contract is signed.
“The problem has been being able to start the work over the time of the Linden protest,” the minister said. He explained that the quantities and the scope of the work had to be reassessed and changed given that the road had further deteriorated during the Linden protests when vehicles were unable to access the area to effect repairs.
Additionally, Benn pointed out that remedial work along the Mabura to 50 Miles stretch of road is being done.
In a letter published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News, APNU parliamentarian, Ronald Bulkan sought to highlight “the absolutely deplorable condition of roads in and throughout Region 8 and in particular, the main road from Mango Landing to Mahdia.”
He said that the present condition is causing extreme hardship for residents, businesspersons including miners, etc who live, work and operate in the region.
Bulkan recalled that on April 27, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environ-ment, Robert Persaud wrote to the Regional Chairman of Region 8 informing him that “the GGMC will undertake repairs to the Brian Sucre Junction to Mahdia as part of its 2012 Work Programme.” Following this letter and as a result of no action or mobilisation, Bulkan said, the Regional Chairman engaged Benn who, according to him, said that no timeframe could be given for the commencement of the rehabilitation.
“Not only is 2012 fast coming to an end and no works have started but more importantly the dry weather conditions which have prevailed since Minister Persaud`s commitment is likely to end without warning. Once the rains come then no repairs can be done or done effectively. The nightmare which residents currently have to endure will get worse,” Bulkan wrote.
