Coomacka access road rehabilitation works in progress

– residents express satisfaction

Following an intervention by the Public Infrastructure Ministry, rehabilitation work has commenced on the Coomacka access road in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Residents in several communities, including Coomacka, Nottinghamshire, Old England and Yaribo were adversely affected after minibus drivers plying the route

staged strike action over the deplorable state of the road last month. Speaking with Guyana Times, Regional Councillor and Chairman of the Coomacka Development Council, Dexter Harding, said he had made recommendations to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for the upgrading of internal and external roads since 2015; however, this was not done.

Speaking on behalf of residents of the communities, Harding said he is grateful that the process is finally underway. “I’m grateful, in that the intervention of the Ministry of Public Works and the authorities from the region and more so Central Government has intervened and heard the cries of the four communities. The Minister came up with all the regional officials, they promised and so far they are holding to their promises, in that they are fixing the road and after that they said they are going to do the three bridges in the area… I do hope that in the future we don’t have to protest to get things done but from this level we get solutions from the RDC level and so on,” he noted.

Harding further expressed satisfaction with the road works – that stretch of road is currently being compacted for the first time.

“They have dug the drains and they are compacting the roads. This is very essential for the longevity and sustainability of the road. I’ve never seen a contractor compact the road, normally they just fill it and grade it. So, I’m grateful because it means we’re going to have the road for a long time,” Harding said.

He also dispelled rumours that the strike action, which was supported by residents of the communities, was politically motivated and orchestrated by a particular political group. According to the Development Council Chairman, residents stood together for the common good of the community, regardless of political affiliation.

“To say that it’s political, I don’t think it’s right, and then we are all Guyanese,” he said.

Residents have expressed satisfaction with the works done thus far, however, works have yet to commence on the dilapidated bridges in the communities.

“The road works in the mines is progressing smoothly. There are trucks traversing the road every day throwing cappin and from the sections they have covered, residents are commending the contractors. Finally we have the right set of materials being thrown on the road and all the necessary drains dug as well. But work hasn’t commenced as yet on none of the bridges as yet which are in dire need of repairs,” a resident of Coomacka indicated.

Following the strike action by drivers last month, Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry Annette Ferguson, Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Alicock, along with regional officials, including Regional Chairman Renis Morian, Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph and Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira visited the affected areas and met with residents.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Frederick Flatts also visited the communities where he assessed several issues. Local engineers and contractors also formed part of the visiting team. During the visit, several malfunctioning bridges within the communities were examined and assessed, with the aim of carrying out major rehabilitation works as residents got an opportunity to present their concerns.