Dear Editor,
We were happy to hear of Public Works Minister Bishop Edghill’s remarks about rehabilitating 1200 community roads across Guyana in an article carried by DPI on 7th January 2023. Triumph villagers surmised that the regular and numerous letters regarding Dasrat Street to Bishop Edghill’s Ministry, Minister Dharmlall’s Local Government Ministry and letters to the press over the past few years pre-empted the President’s vision to launch the 1000+ community roads initiative. It would therefore be reassuring if Dasrat Street, Triumph Front, East Coast Demerara is placed atop the agenda, failing which we wish to invite US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, to visit, as her powers to make the right things happen is certified!
This street has been neglected for 40 years, despite the presence of the Region 4 RDC at the head of it. The previous government came along a few years ago and did a third of the road, forgetting that people resided along the remaining part, see photo. It is hoped this administration will allocate the first of the 1200 roads to be done here in Triumph Front and make it a signature moment for this wide-ranging and commendable project. Previous engagements and letters to the Region 4 RDC and the BV-Triumph NDC were all futile.
To compound matters, recently a notable factory owner from the area decided to commence building up a lot in Dasrat Street, presumably to build his house, nearby his factory. However, he decided that this North Western section of the poor road, next to his factory, is owned by him, thus blocked it with sand. He has also dumped tons of waste material on the parapets allowing the trail to flood and preventing excavators from clearing the nearby trench. No one can speak to him any longer as he has become what is now known as a ‘big boy’ with ‘high up’ connections. He gets more upset with you if you complain to him. No vehicle can traverse this piece of trailway putting pressure on the other section which is already deplorable.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
