Transportation issues for Region Nine to be addressed

The Dr Irfaan Ali -led administration is seeking to build a robust Transportation Action Plan (TAP) for Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine), Guyana.

It was noted that the new multi-modal strategy will consider the transportation challenges and opportunities facing residents in the area.

It was revealed that following a villager’s plea for transportation aid, specifically for persons who need emergency medical attention at the health centre, President Ali made no hesitation in finding a solution.

The President received the request while engaging scores of residents in St Ignatius village, during his outreach to the region over the last weekend. “Because of what we are building… the new need will be transportation link and that is a result also of the investment we are making in the roads…,” Ali said.

It was disclosed that a special team along with representatives from Public Works, Amerindian Affairs and Local Government and Regional Development Ministries, are expected to return to commence an assessment, to resolve the transportation trouble there.

“They will list all of the transportation issues so we can have a Transportation Action Plan that takes all of the demands into consideration,” Dr Ali noted.

Meanwhile, the Head of State announced his government’s plans to inject funds to upgrade the living accommodation of teachers and healthcare workers across Region Nine.

“Starting from next month we are working on a comprehensive programme all across the region to ensure that we rehabilitated and build where there is none, proper facilities for teachers and healthcare in every single community,” he said.

Accordingly, President Ali said residents in the respective communities must be integrally involved in the process. Further, in essence, if the new upgrades mean building or expanding a facility, then the labourers and materials must not be sourced outside of the area.

“We must use the local materials and the local labour,” Ali stressed. It was revealed earlier in his outreach, the President announced that some 600 persons who have been allocated low-income house lots in Lethem, Region Nine, will get $1M GUY each, to commence constructing their homes.

Further, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and the New Building Society (NBS) have already signaled their interest in financing the remaining $2M GUY for the prospective homeowners at a rate of 3.5 per cent. Additionally, the collateral-free gesture from the two financial institutions will see the 600 allottees repaying just about $14,000 GUY per month.