EBB road to benefit residents with small contracts, employment

Residents of the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are to benefit from a .2 billion main access road running from Stanleytown to Mara.

This was announced by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson at a meeting with residents at the Overwinning Market Square on Sunday.

The construction, which commenced on Monday, will be done in phases, with the first being a 4.7 kilometre road from Stanleytown to Everton.

The East Bank Berbice road, which is deplorable even in dry weather, is impassable in the rainy season and has fuelled numerous protests over the years.

The Minister pointed out the opportunities the construction of the road would provide, as he assured residents that they would benefit from employment that would be awarded by way of small contracts, which would include pavements, concrete drains, speed bumps, bridges, box culverts and street lights with an expected lifespan of 30 years.

As residents raised concerns about the quality of the road that would be built, the Minister immediately responded by suggesting that an oversight committee be established to ensure the durability of the infrastructure. The committee will comprise one elected person from each of the communities along with someone from the Mayor’s office and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).