Based on a commitment made by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent visit, $100 million has been earmarked to upgrade several internal roads from laterite to concrete at Campbelltown, an Amerindian village in Potaro-Siparuni, Region Eight, a Department of Public Information (DPI) release stated on Wednesday.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, who met with community members on Wednesday made it clear that the project will be undertaken by those living there. Edghill was accompanied by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag.
He explained that the community-driven initiative is part of the government’s efforts to retain economic benefits within the village where major projects are being undertaken.
“Whenever we do the work, we want the people in the area to benefit, rather than advertising in the newspapers and having a contractor from Region One or Region Six come and do the work. We will list all the contractors in the area. And then, we will give you the bid documents.”
According to the release, the upgrade will begin where the main access road ends and extend to the Village Office, covering 500 metres in length and 20 feet in width. Additionally, the project will be divided into multiple lots to maximise participation.
During the engagement, the ministers and Public Works engineers inspected the condition of the village’s roads. A 1.6-kilometre thoroughfare leading to a school was identified as a priority for upgrades.
Engineers from the Ministry of Public Works, along with two community members, are tasked with inspecting the road. The design will be drafted for the necessary interventions, the release added.
