The Buck Hall trail, in Region Seven, has become almost impassible, according to road users, who say economic activity in several mining communities have been disrupted as a result.
According to travellers, within the last three months the road has deteriorated to the extent that only trucks can use it. The persistent rainfall over the past two months has also contributed to the road’s present condition.
The Buck Hall trail is critical to the mining community in the Cuyuni. With river transport commanding high rates to transport commodities into the mining areas, the trail is a cost effective alternative.
After the Barama Logging Company closed its operations in 2016, road users pointed out that there has been no maintenance work done on the road. The Guyana Forestry Commission assumed responsibility for the road and collected tolls but never carried out any maintenance.
“We continue to pay heavy tolls with the understanding that the money will be used by the Forestry Commission to maintain and repair road but nothing like that has happened for five years,” Junior Digger, a road user explained.
Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources Stephon Gabriel yesterday said that the ministry is looking at a work plan to execute rehabilitation works. He also stated that in some areas works are being conducted to improve the quality of the road.
According to Digger, many persons who transport goods to miners have not been able to work for approximately two weeks as they are faced with a number of difficulties while traversing on the trail. “It is a terrible situation that we are in. Every time you travel you have to end up doing repairs on your vehicle. Instead of you going out to work and make some money you are going to spend money on your vehicle because the road is so bad.”
Digger, who operates a small truck related that he had to stop working because it is no longer feasible for him.
“The condition of the road is terrible at this stage. When you would take five hours when the road is good you now take 3 days and if the road is dry maybe two days. It is not easy to leave home to come out and work and you cannot take home back any money,” he added.
According to Digger, the deplorable condition of the road has a domino effect as not only are small vehicle operators affected, but the entire business and mining community. He noted that some days, miners were forced to count their losses as produce being transported would spoil due to the extended duration of the trip coupled with the impassable state of the road.
“Sometimes you get spoilage – your chicken, fish, fruits, vegetables all spoil because the vehicle bringing your food get stuck in the trail or a vehicle stick up in the path and you can’t pass. The trail is easier to transport goods because the boats charge too much,” he bemoaned.
He noted that with the state of the trail, there is a cut off as miners cannot easily access commodities and are forced to pay high prices for items.
“Everything has gone up since the floods but you might see another increase because people are not getting goods because you cannot travel through the road. No land cruiser and small trucks cannot pass. If you don’t have a truck with a winch you cannot get past the trail,” he pointed out.
Clemmy Burnette, a land cruiser driver, who plies the trail supplying goods to miners and business persons, described the condition of the road as “atrocious.”
“I park up since Monday because it makes no sense working, I had to get tractor to pull me out through the trail when I was coming out,” Burnette said as he complained that there has been no rehabilitation of the road in five years.
He stated that several small truck and pick up drivers have also ceased working as they are unable to travel through the trail.
“Every time you go through that trail you have to cater for maintenance… sleeping along the trail has become a norm for us because you are stuck for days or nights. When Barama maintained the road, even a car could have drive through the road but not anymore…” the driver explained. He noted that despite the numerous enquiries directed to the Guyana Forestry Commission as to when they will repair the road, road users are still awaiting an answer.
“We will be really happy if they can come in and see the condition of this road and tell us they will repair it because we need to work,” he added.
