The Manari Bypass Road along the southern end of the existing Manari Bridge in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), has become impassable due to flash flooding.
The Manari Bypass Road that was split in half due to the heavy rainfall
Residents of Region Nine have expressed concerns about the deplorable state of the Manari Bypass Road, one of the main access roads into the township of Lethem, commercial hub of Region 9.
Junior Grant, a resident of Lethem for over 40 years, has said he is saddened by this issue, given that a lot of persons in his community are suffering.
“Water rise yesterday morning, and that is what burst the road in half, so no vehicles can’t come, no vehicles can’t go. If they do have to come into Lethem, which is the main road, they have to go around like about half an hour to an hour driving from that spot to another village, (and) come around by the mountain side to come back into Lethem. When I went this morning to check that part too, that road is breaking away too…”, he said.
Grant further noted that due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Lethem is expected to go into lockdown; therefore, persons would have to transport food from the city.
In April 2019, the caretaker coalition Government had opened the bypass road, which cost some $80 million to construct. However, the residents said since then, further works on the road were done only just a few weeks before the March 2, 2020 polls.
“Just before the election in March, the works started back there; but the money was budgeted since last year April to complete that bridge and to complete that part of the road. However, nothing was done; nothing done, so now they are hurrying to get it finished,” Grant underscored.
The Public Infrastructure Ministry on Wednesday confirmed that the Manari Bypass Road in Region Nine has become impassable. As such, motorists and pedestrians are asked to detour through Nappi Village to enter Lethem.
