After concerns were raised by residents about the construction of the $28M Kumaka-San Jose Bridge, Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud said that an engineer from the city has been dispatched to evaluate the works.
“It is an issue that is being addressed by the Village Council, the Region and the Ministry …some of the concerns are genuine, such as the reuse of decking boards, because that is unacceptable and the contractor was instructed to make an adjustment,” Persaud told Stabroek News.
Member of Parliament Valerie Garrido-Lowe told an Alliance For Change press briefing yesterday that residents of the Region One, North West community had complained that the works carried out on the bridge were unsatisfactory.
She said that the end of the bridge is sinking, the materials are not properly prepared and splinters from the wood are piercing persons’ hands, among other complaints.
Residents also pointed out the bridge railing is fragile and persons cannot relax and lean upon it as they were accustomed to, since it is shaky and could lead to them falling into the river. “The Moruca Bridge, since its existence, does not only link one island to another but is a favourite spot for relaxation for the community. Adults and children sometimes stand on the bridge just to enjoy the beautiful scenery,” Garrido-Lowe said.
However, the Local Government Minister said that this issue was one that could not be addressed, since the bridge was placed for getting persons across the river and was not a place to relax. “We cannot do anything about them sitting on the railing of the bridge because that is a bridge not a resort…,” he said.
However, he informed that on other issues, an engineer was dispatched to the region and is supposed to prepare his findings by weekend. Persaud applauded the vigilance of the residents and said it was that kind of ministry-community relationship he hoped would be seen
countrywide. “We sent in an engineer for a second opinion…we are happy the residents are paying that kind of attention…we are indeed pleased at their intervention and look forward for more of this,” he said.
