Gaico Contracting Incorporated, the company responsible for the construction of the Sister’s Village road, has stated that work will begin today. This is despite a commitment from Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill that the road work would have started on January 24.
Residents are frustrated with the state of the roadway, particularly at Duncan Street and Saw Pit Turn.
Speaking to Stabroek News, Gaico CEO Komal Singh stated that the company has been focusing on “precast concrete drains” to avoid prolonged open ditches in front of residents’ homes. He was at the meeting with Minister Edghill and residents on December 11, 2024, where commitment was made.
“The section between Sister’s Village is very bad. The base is not strong, so you cannot asphalt it right away because it will get damaged quickly. The substructure there seems to be very weak,” Singh explained.
The road was initially dug up by a contractor who then refilled it with aggregate. The surface currently has a layer of crusher run, a material that residents have complained about due to the dust it creates.
A resident named Rajin wrote to Stabroek News, stating, “Contractors started digging, left the job incomplete, and have caused more harm than good. The dust from the unfinished road is unbearable, especially for those of us with asthma.”
One resident recounted an incident in December, stating, “Last week Friday, there was an accident. A car was coming from one side, and a bike was on the same side because the side he was supposed to be on was damaged. The lady drove into the boy. He probably dead. They had to rush him to Best Hospital. Every night something drops in this hole. Last night, somebody’s bumper fell off too. It doesn’t look like they finished the road. Since the last time you came here, nobody came back. They just put the fine brick and left it. Now there’s a big hole in the road.”
Edghill, in response to public outcry, had previously stated that emergency works had been done, but asphalting was delayed due to additional work planned for the entire stretch from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to Patentia. He also clarified that the contractor who conducted emergency works was not the same company handling the main project.
In a letter to Stabroek News on February 7, resident Rosemaria Appanah highlighted several problem areas citing, “Bagotville Bridge, the road after the bridge has sunk over time, causing severe traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, Nismes (near Gaico Construction): The road was dug out and left open for some time. It was eventually repaired haphazardly, forcing drivers to use the other lane. Toevlugt: The road is uneven. Stanleytown Bridge: The approach on both sides has dropped. It was supposed to be a temporary fix, but no further work has been done. Belle Vue Road: Crater-sized potholes force drivers to switch lanes dangerously. Goed Intent to Sister’s Village: Multiple craters, along with a recent road cave-in that was poorly repaired. Patentia: Several potholes.”
According to a flyer seen by Stabroek News, a survey was supposed to be conducted to assess the impact of road construction on nearby buildings before work began at Sister’s village. However, residents claim this has not been done.
Gaico Construction said that beginning today workers will be opening drains and removing slush, excavating and backfilling, adding “crusher run” to allow traffic to settle the surface before asphalting.
The project has an 18 months’ timeline.
