Close to three weeks since emergency works on the Matarkai Main Access Road in Port Kaituma were expected to commence, heavy rainfall continues to delay the process, leaving frustrated residents contemplating their options for road use.
Chairperson of the Matarkai Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Margret Lambert, had said that the short term work on the road would be undertaken by the NDC to offer some relief to affected residents.
The works are to address sections of the road beginning at Citrus Grove and extending to Fitzburg.
However, she said that while the council was prepared to commence work, the constant rainfall had impeded those plans.
Three weeks later, the rainfall continues, resulting in the NDC only being able to carry out minimal work on the road.
Speaking with Stabroek News on Wednesday, residents related that the NDC had managed to drain the road and grade some sections, making it more accessible to vehicles that traverse the area.
On the other hand, it was noted that the relief was short-lived as the rains returned and reduced the road to its initial state, which was described as a “slush dam.”
Commitments to carry out emergency works on the road were made by the NDC back in July after representatives from the Ministry of Communities visited the area to assess the situation and engage residents in discussions for a possible solution to the long standing issue.
The team had comprised Ministerial Liaison Mark Crawford; Principal Regional Development Officer Surendra Khayyam; Project Manager Naeem Khan; Member of Parliament (MP) Richard Allen and officials from the region.
Following the meeting, Stabroek News was told that having been granted $4.2 million in subventions for this year, the NDC promised to carry out remedial work on the road.
Additionally, residents were also made aware of Cabinet’s approval for the awarding of $58 million in contracts to two contractors for the rehabilitation of the road. More than a month ago, Cabinet announced that it had cleared a $30.8m contract to Vijay Persaud and Sons Contracting Services for the stretch of road from Port Kaituma to Matthews Ridge, while V Dalip Enterprise was awarded a contract for the rehabilitation of the Matthews Ridge to Baramita road.
However, it is not clear when these works are expected to commence. Meanwhile, Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan had also noted central government’s commitment to work within the parameters of its financial resources to address these challenges faced by residents. “We are prioritising the most critical areas. In my estimation, this road falls within that priority range and so within our budgetary allocation we are prepared to make an emergency intervention,” Bulkan said in a statement.
