Days later, drivers, residents remain persistent

Coomacka strike

Five days after commencing strike action over the deplorable state of the main access road, drivers operating in several mining areas across Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are continuing their strike until their expectations are met.

Residents continue their protest action over the deplorable state of the main access road
Residents continue their protest action over the deplorable state of the main access road

The road users who traverse the Coomacka access road are adamant that they will not resume operations until the regional officials complete rehabilitation work from Coomacka to Yaribo. Works should also include the rehabilitation of collapsed bridges in several affected communities, they added.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, Engineers from the Public Infrastructure Ministry and Regional Chairman Renis Morian are expected to meet with protesting residents and drivers on Monday.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, met with drivers and supporting members of the community on Thursday and promised to assist, through dialogue with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), as well as to provide assistance with drainage in the community of Old England.

Scores of residents, including school children from Three Friends, Coomacka, Nottinghamshire, Old England and Yaribo were left stranded over the course of almost a week due to the strike action. A resident of Coomacka told this publication that as a result, private vehicles are now being used to transport school children to school, however, only a few students were attending school.

Meanwhile, The RDC and the Education Ministry have provided transportation for teachers residing in the affected areas. Although the community was gifted a school bus via the President’s 5B’s initiative, it remains grounded due to the state of the community’s access road.

“Just a few children going down to Mackenzie (Linden) with private vehicles. Other passengers are going down the same way, but not much,” one resident told Guyana Times.

“I’m not sure about the attendance at the primary and nursery today (Friday), but yesterday it was just a few children at both schools, mainly from our village (Coomacka),” the resident added.

On Tuesday, a large group consisting of residents, drivers and school children met with the Regional Chairman in front of the office of the RDC in Linden, where they vented their frustration regarding the issue.

According to the Regional Chairman, while work has commenced, the time frame for completion is uncertain.