Around 4,000 residents of the North and Central Rupununi Districts, of Region Nine, are expected to benefit from a soon-to-be constructed bypass road, for which a $200 million contract has been signed.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported on Friday that the construction of the 70-mile long road will commence soon following the signing of the contract between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), JR Construction Incorporated along with B and R Construction.
The DPI report noted that the road is part of a larger project to transform public infrastructure in the hinterland.
It further said that during a presentation at a meeting held at the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) on Thursday, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock revealed that the road, which will begin from Toka Village and end at Lethem, will pass through villages like Kwaimatta, Yupukari, Quatata, Kaicumbay, Fly Hill, Parishara, Nappi, and Hiawa in the Central Rupununi.
The road is expected to significantly reduce travel time as Allicock noted that it would normally take at least an hour for travellers to reach Lethem from Hiawa. Once the road is constructed, he said, travellers may reach Lethem in 15 minutes.
Toshao of Yupukari, Russian Dorrick had voiced similar thoughts earlier this year as it relates to the reduction of travel time and said that a number of persons will be able to benefit from the road as they will have easier access to surrounding villages, thereby creating business opportunities for farmers and others. It was also noted that patients will also be able to travel to and from the hospitals much safely and faster.
Meanwhile, the residents had applauded the government for recognising the importance of the much-needed road and their continued efforts to push ahead with the project, which reportedly has been in discussion for years.
The minister had explained that in order to access better healthcare, education and business opportunities as well as bringing improved services to villages which were inaccessible, there is a need for proper roads.
“The opening of roads is needed everywhere; we need roads so that your vehicles could last longer, so that you will be able to access markets. The road will run from Lethem through Hiawa and Nappi, and your airstrip can also be developed, and it will be easily accessible and you will see more activities in your villages, more jobs and more demand for products,” he was quoted as saying.
