Rainfall compounded by poor maintenance of sections of the Linden to Bartica Road has left it in a deplorable state making it difficult for users from the logging and mining industries to traverse.
Since April, road users say that travelling along the trail has taken a toll on many logging and mining operations. The deteriorating condition of the road has resulted in trips being lengthened by days as trucks and trailers carrying logs are unable to easily navigate.
Yesterday, truckers and logging operators told this newspaper that two hills: Bamboo and Tyson Hills have become impassable resulting in many processed logs being left on concessions.
They say that this is the first time in approximately five years that the road has deteriorated to this state.
According to the road users, in the past the road was maintained by Mekdeci Machinery and Construction, however a new contract was recently awarded under the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) but since then there has been limited and poor maintenance work on the road.
“From what we are seeing this new contractor does not understand the road. They are doing work during the rainy period and when we complain they are telling us they are only contracted to grade the road not throw any material,” one operator explained.
Maintenance work is expected to be carried out on approximately 23 miles before the Sherima Crossing and 7 miles after the Sherima Crossing.
Stabroek News understands that the one-year maintenance contract generally requires contractors to address problems as they arise to ensure road users can traverse the road with ease.
Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall yesterday told Stabroek News that since the recent heavy rain the road has been overtaken by thick slush, posing a challenge to truck drivers. He explained that from his understanding the new contractor is not familiar with the terrain and soil type.
“It is not that I am bashing the new contractor but when we spoke with the engineers we recommended that they contract persons with the know-how. These are important roads for trade and it has become quite difficult for persons to use during this period,” Marshall explained.
He pointed out that apart from the deplorable condition of the thoroughfare affecting mining and logging operations, villagers along the trail are also affected as well as the business community in Bartica. Marshall also explained that the operations of large scale gold producer, Troy Resources have also been affected by the state of road.
“There is major economic impact due to the condition of the road. We need swift ministerial action. I have written to the Minister of Public Works and I plan to seek an audience with the Minister of Natural Resources this week”, Marshall said.
Koosha Ramdass, a logger, yesterday told Stabroek News that trucks have been stuck for days in sections of the road and on many occasions they have to summon an excavator to pull them out and in some cases take them over the hills.
He noted that on average 15 trucks transporting fuel and logging material get stuck in the mud for hours.
“Nobody has been paying attention to what is happening on the road. We need them to come and see what is happening here how we the loggers and miners are suffering because of this road,” he said.
According to Ramdass, if the weather holds up for a few days they are able to easily traverse but as soon as the rain returns, it becomes extremely difficult to travel.
“Every day you have fuel trucks going in and logs to come out but it is hard because of the condition of the road. Sometimes a truck can winch itself out but most times we have to ask for help to get out,” he added.
Another logger, Richard Hardeen explained that the entire stretch of road from Mabura to Sherima Crossing and other sections of the trail are in dire need of maintenance. He said that the condition of the road has increased a day trip by days and carries additional costs.
Hardeen pointed out that truckers have been forced to use the roadway for three months in this state as they had to keep their operations afloat. He suggested that government further open up the Amaila Falls road as an alternative route for operators.
“They have small pontoons operating from Amaila Falls to Butakari Crossing but if they open it up for the trucks that will be a big help for us. Right now the lumber yards are empty because we cannot transport the wood out,” he explained.
A fuel truck driver, Kenroy Archer, described the condition of the road as terrible.
“Many nights we have to end up sleeping on the roadway because we stick up and cannot get to go any further. Many other times we have to winch ourselves out or call for help…it is terrible, terrible right now,” he lamented.
He pointed out that a trip that normally takes six hours when the road was good now takes between 13-15 hours to get to his destination.
He said that many truck drivers have complained to the contractor but nothing is being done to resolve the issue.
“This road is in dire need of maintenance. We complain many times but nothing has been done to help us. This is the first time in years since they let this road get to this condition. We need urgent assistance because we keep losing every day,” Archer lamented.
