East Bank Berbice Road repairs not likely this year
Despite numerous promises by Government, the East Bank Berbice (EBB) main access road is not likely to be repaired this year.
Officially, the Ministry has not made a statement, however, sources close to the Ministry have indicated that there is no timeline for the project, and further revealed that the project will not be completed this year.
A section of the road at Glasgow
Residents have raised concern after promises were made that a section of the road would be rebuilt with money from the International Development Bank (IDB). Some residents are fearful that the project will be used as a 2020 national elections promotion.
More than $10 million has been spent on the road annually for the past two decades. Several protests have been staged by residents and vehicle operators who highlighted that millions are being spent on spare parts for damaged vehicles.
The Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, as campaign manager for the Coalition leading up to the May 2015 General Elections, held a meeting at Edinburgh and told party supporters that the previous administration had neglected them. He also assured that, should his party win the elections; repair work to the EBB Road will be a number one priority.
Under the Bharat Jagdeo administration, it was stated that the cost to rebuild the EBB road could not have been undertaken by Government alone, as such the IDB was contacted.
The Public infrastructure Ministry, by way of tender, related that the IBD loan was approved for the rebuilding on the EBB road. Government had initially said that it was seeking US$7 million for the project.
In 2016, the IDB approved the loan and the Public Infrastructure Ministry advised that a contractor was selected and work was expected to commence in August last year. Residents on the East Bank counted the weeks, then the months that passed. They were then assured that works would commence in September 2016. By October, they were told that work will start before the year ends. During that month they were told that work will not be done in 2016. In January they were told that the project will commence mid-March.
Guyana Times understands that the IDB and the Public Infrastructure Ministry did not agree on the contractor.
