Dear Editor,
It is so disgusting to see and hear this government continuing to mislead Guyanese. The government is saying that, the bad areas of the trail (road) from Linden to Lethem have been fixed and vehicles not above 15 tons can traverse them. Well, Editor, buckle up and strap down and let me take you on this trail the government is talking about.
I left Lethem by bus on Tuesday, August 26 at 17:55 hrs and arrived at Surama Junction at 23:50 hrs; this distance normally takes between 2½-3 hrs, and it took 5 hrs 55 mins, which is almost double. We left Surama at 2:45 hrs for Corkwood (Checkpoint); after the Police finished checking all the buses, numbering 6 and other vehicles, we left at 03:332 hrs and did not arrive at Kurupukari until 9:10 hrs. This distance of 73 km, normally takes 1½ hrs.
Let me describe the condition of the road (trail): Lethem to Hunt Oil is in good condition. I understand this section of road was given to V Dalip Enterprise. I must say this firm did a good job in a short time, so why is it they did not get more, since it seems they have the equipment needed to do the job. From Hunt Oil to Kurupukari is a nightmare; we were stuck three times and had to be assisted by Mr Rambaran (Tallboy) to pull us through with his truck like ‘hang-on sloopy,’ since all the buses were tied to each other and dragged through at the same time.
Editor, this section of the road (trail) to Frenchman junction was given to Meckdeci (MMC), which appeared to be ill-equipped for the bulk of the work. One grader and truck was being loaded manually, yes manually, and we heard an excavator was to come from Mango Landing two weeks ago, so we can say no work is in progress at this time.
Let me fast forward: the company that is doing the road from Linden to Amaila Junction is doing an excellent job; this is how road work of this nature must be done. That 26 miles is as though you are driving on glass; they have the right equipment, but yet they were given a small portion like V Dalip Enterprise.
Editor, common sense should be used by the Minister of Works since every year money is being allocated for works on this road, yet we have not seen any substantial work over the years 2010 to now. Is the reason for this because of a new plane service in the area with which this government has close ties, or is it that the government is a shareholder in MMC, since we had to pay an increase in the cost to cross on the MMC operated pontoon, and this we were told is for MMC to maintain the road? We have since learnt that this clause has been omitted in the contract, but yet the cost remains the same to cross.
To make matters worse, at first vehicles would cross every hour on the hour from 6 am to 6 pm, but now the crossing hours are 6 am to 9 am then again until 12 noon, again at 17:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs. So when you look at all these factors something has to be going on.
Editor, I would like to recommend to the Minister of Works, the following: –
1. Revoke the contract of MMC and Omai immediately.
2. Allocate the 26 miles to Kurupukari to Troy Resources.
3. Allocate Kurupukari to the Hunt Oil end to V Dalip Enterprise.
4. After completion of the work give these two firms a further two year contract to maintain their respective areas.
5. Instruct MMC to resume hourly crossings since the abovementioned four suggestions would guarantee an increase in traffic
6. Think about the option of a toll,
The concerns I have expressed must be seen as constructive and not destructive.
Yours faithfully,
Carlton Beckles
