As part of several planned initiatives for Region Nine, close to four thousand residents of the Rupununi, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will soon benefit from improved road connectivity.
According to a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MoIPA) press release, the alignment which began almost a week ago will see road improvements consisting of approximately seventy miles of all-weather road.
The alignment will stretch from Toka Village in the North Rupununi into Kwaimatta, Yupukari, Quatata, Kaicumbay, Fly Hill, through Parishara, Nappi, Hiawa, and into central Lethem and will be the first of its kind. What has existed in the past were trails through the respective villages, the MoIPA release added.
J.R Ranch Construction and B&R Construction are the executing contractors with the project being funded by Guyana Geology and Mines Commission with a budget of approximately $200 million.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock led a team to the Region in late January and during that meeting he pointed out that Government has recognised the importance of having proper roads in communities which will improve access to markets, health care, education and other opportunities, as well as ensure services and supplies to the now-accessible villages.
“The opening up of roads is needed everywhere, we need better roads so that your vehicles could last longer so that you will be able to access markets. So, the road will run from Lethem through Hiawa and Nappi and your airstrip can also be developed…and it will be more easily accessible and then you will see more activities in your villages, more jobs and more demand for more products,” the minister was quoted as saying.
During the consultation, village leaders and residents expressed their desire to see the project come to fruition and stated that it will ensure improved access to education, health and other services, boost economic activities and other planned initiatives.
Toshao of Yupukari, Russian Dorrick, said “for instance, there are a lot of children in this area attending Secondary School at St. Ignatius and parents find it difficult to visit the school because it takes a long time to get there. At the moment, some parents who can afford to purchase a motorcycle will go often, but there are those parents who find it hard to get there regularly.”
Guy Fredericks, Toshao of Nappi Village in echoing similar sentiments during the consultation affirmed, “right now, we have to travel for miles to get to Lethem, which is very arduous and costly, so with the construction of the road linking North to Central and Lethem, it is going to be a great benefit and we are in full support, let progress continue and let the work begin.”
“This is what we have been waiting for, for a very long time and we are really happy that it is going to happen,” declared Toshao of Kwaimatta, Kevin Edwards.
Janet Francis who is the Community Health Worker in Yupukari Village says she is anticipating the construction of the road since it will allow patients to travel faster and in comfort while en route to Lethem for medical attention.
Lorna Andrew, a farmer of Yupukari Village, said when the road is completed she will be able to market her produce and the proceeds of which will see her getting into large scale farming in the near future.
The improved road network fits perfectly into planned initiatives for the Ministry’s (through the Government) Hinterland Green Enterprise Development Centre at Bina Hill, which seeks to build the capacity of youth from across the Rupununi (and further afield) and to stimulate green economic growth through management, sustainability and leadership.
