The Ministry of Public Works in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government has embarked on a project to swiftly repair 100 roads using sums from the $600 million requested recently from the National Assembly.
The Public Works Minister was asked yesterday how the $600 million will be disbursed. “It is to projects like this. One hundred roads will be a part of our project. Some have already been awarded at the ministerial tender board level; roads costing $8 -12 million and so on. This road will be a 39.4 million contract and this is 466 meters,” Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill told the Stabroek News, as he yesterday visited Owen Street Kitty, accompanied by Minister of Local Government Anand Persaud and a team, to assess the project and speak to residents.
“We had residents writing, representation made, inspection by our engineers and then we made a list of priority 1, priority 2 and priority 3. This is one of a hundred roads that is being undertaken currently,” he added.
The team yesterday visited a number of pot hole-ridden roads in dire need of repair and gave assurances that works will swiftly begin on them.
Following the Owen Street Kitty visit, the team headed to Turkeyen and Edghill said that the sunken and pot hole-filled road which runs north to south alongside the University of Guyana’s eastern fence and connects to the Sophia Eastern Highway, will be priority.
“We are now heading to the road at the side of UG because everybody knows that road,” he said.
Following road inspections, Edghill flew to Eteringbang in Region Seven, where he announced that the airstrip there will be soon upgraded.
Accompanying Edghill on his visit was the Assistant Aviation Inspector, Alphonso Mangah; Chief Transport Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson; Senior Engineer, Dionne Amsterdam; and Chief Inspector, Aerodromes and Ground Aids, GCAA, Adrian Bassier; his office said.
“After landing in Eteringbang, Minister Edghill pointed out his concerns over the maintenance of the airstrip, since bushes have been taking over. In fact, vegetation has now grown over the cones strategically placed to border the airstrip. Against this backdrop, the Public Works Minister suggested to the maintenance team to explore marking the area and possibly spray the grass for a permanent solution, which will also allow for drainage on the 2,100 feet runway,” the Public Works Ministry said in a statement.
Workers however complained that the grass has been growing back quickly due to weather.
During a meeting with residents of Eteringbang, it was suggested that laterite not be used since it is a temporary measure. Residents explained that they would like the structure to be paved with concrete. They were keen to let it be known that they believe they are skillful enough to get the job done.
“Minister Edghill said he is well aware of the need for the airstrip to be properly rehabilitated and will discuss the possibility of giving the people what they want. He nevertheless charged the “skilled men” in the area to complete a full cleaning of the airstrip to prove their competence. This project will see the airstrip being cleared of all vegetation to allow for drainage. The team said the work will be completed by Monday, considering the weather conditions,” the release stated.
Edghill also thanked the group of residents for clearing the airstrip for him to land, since water had reportedly accumulated on the runway, and he underscored the importance of the airstrip being safe and clean at all times.
