$290M road development in Region 8 welcome by residents

28 villages in Potaro-Siparuni (Region 8), an estimated 15,000 residents will benefit from improved transportation networks, as government inked $290M in contracts on Friday.

It was revealed that under the agreements, a total of 917 kilometres of road maintenance, including debushing, filling of laterite and repairs to 31 timber bridges will be completed over a six-month period.  It was noted that in 2021, $100M was allocated for similar works in 12 villages.

However, Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, Regional Chairman and Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Works Vldim Persaud overlooked the signings in Kato and Mahdia. Edghill stressed that the Government is committed to support the development of local village economies through the creation of job opportunities. He explained that under the contracts signed, local contractors and workers from Region 8 are expected to execute all works outlined.

Commending the government’s initiative, Toshao Candace Evans of Karisparu noted that her community will enjoy easier access to other communities, once the project is completed. “Currently our airstrip is shut down and we don’t have any access to Mahdia or elsewhere so I am very grateful for this contract because once we fix the road, we will get access to Paramakatoi and people would be able to buy their ration from there and also for the patients we would transport them to Paramakatoi from Karisparu at this moment,” Toshao Evans said.

Toshao Wesley Pablo of Kopinang disclosed that the roads connecting his village to several satellite communities are very deplorable. “It is in bad condition especially in the mountains.  … I slide down back two or three times this morning and it is about one hour riding from Kamana to Kopinang,” Toshao Pablo explained.  Edghill in Acknowledging the challenges many hinterland residents experience, promised Toshaos of government’s commitment to ensure every Guyanese benefit equally.

“Our development agenda is not just to develop Georgetown and make it bright and put-up lights and nice fancy buildings. So, when you come to town you look and say Georgetown looking nice. Our development agenda is that you must be in Kato or in Itabac or in Kanapang or in Tuschenen or wherever, you must be able to look at your community and say my community looking nice as well,” the minister declared.

An appeal was made to the residents to follow the bill of quantities when executing the works. It was pointed out that contracts were signed by the Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng, Bamboo Creek, Paramakatoi and Kato village councils. Red Creek, Karisparu, Taruka, Yawong, Maiwak CDC, Arasawa, along with 19 other villages also signed contracts.