Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill yesterday disclosed that 132 new roads are to be done in Region Six and 1,000 more metres for the Mara thoroughfare.
He noted that 1053 roads were covered in the last wave of contracts awarded across the country to the tune of $22B, as he told Berbicians to look out for the 2023 budget as more roads are expected to be done.
Edghill said that the current programme is being undertaken through a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. “We are doing just over 1050 roads in this programme… Could you imagine the gravity and depth of what is taking place across the country with the building out of roads…”
In September last year, contracts valued at a total of $8.6 billion were signed for work on 268 roads throughout Region Six.
Edghill who met with residents from Mara, East Bank Berbice – East Canje Berbice, and Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne yesterday, said that in addition to the road works which were awarded last year, an additional 132 new roads have since been finalized to be done within the region. The 132 new roads will cost some $4.4 B.
According to him, the funding will come from the supplementary budget last year which saw the ministry receiving an additional $18B for the building of community roads “because everywhere we go across the country, three complaints we does get; the road, streetlights, and drainage.”
Meanwhile, at the Mara location, the Minister confirmed that some 1000 metres were completed along the main access road costing around $100M based on a commitment from President Irfaan Ali. Residents had agreed that the road works in that area should begin from the end of the village heading out.
In addition to the first 1000 metres, the ministry also did sectional repairs, and maintenance works on the entire main road significantly improving the access to the area.
Two hours
For context, previously a car would take approximately two hours from New Amsterdam to Mara, however, due to the general upgrades, now it takes just over forty-five minutes with a smoother drive.
To residents’ surprise yesterday, the minister announced that another 1000 metres will now be done on the main access. “1000 metres is just a start and I would like to let you know that in 2023 we will do another kilometre of that road.”
The residents at the location also requested that a cross street which runs about 1600 feet be done and Edghill committed his ministry to do it this year.
The Minister also visited Bristol Street, East Canje Berbice yesterday where residents informed him that the contractor – Advance Environmental Solution had somewhat abandoned the road project at the location.
Edghill gave a stern warning to the contractor and ordered that the project be completed in three weeks. The Minister told the contractor who was present at the location “you gon finish this project before the end of this month and if you don’t finish this project before the end of this month don’t show up back for work… I am very serious about where that is concerned, this is a 2022 project.”
“Whatever you have to do, day and night, get this road finish,” he told the contractor who had previously received a letter of warning of termination.
Edghill explained, that since the road was dug up and was in a state that could not be used, the contractor was given an extension instead of them having to return to the tendering process to select another contractor. However, he repeatedly stressed that the road must be completed before the end of January.
At the Kilcoy/Hampshire Neighbourhood Democratic Council, some residents also complained of a road not being completed in that area. The project was supposed to be completed on January 14, which is now not possible. Edghill warned that it should be completed before the end of the month.
Meanwhile, touching on the upcoming National Budget on Monday, Edghill encouraged the Berbicians gathered at the various locations to look out for the financing which will go towards additional roads. “When the budget of 2023 comes out there will be financing in there for more roads”, he stated.
He then stressed that they will continue to work with the community to continually advance the road programme in the coming years.
At the various locations yesterday, residents were happy with the improvements to the roads within their communities. Within the Canefield/Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council for the first time in its history, 37 roads were done simultaneously.
