Govt to spend $250M in road works at Tuschen, Zeelugt

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar announced during a visit to the community on Saturday that $185 million in road works will be undertaken at Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo.

For years, residents in the community have been complaining about the deplorable state of the roads. During interactions with the residents, Minister Indar was told that accessing important facilities in Tuschen such as the health centre has proven difficult due to the state of the roads.
Part of the works will see four main access roads being rehabilitated, including the street leading to the village’s health centre. Grubbing and grading and shaping will be done in the streets leading up to the village’s health centre.
Concerning the situation in Tuschen, he said, “You have the medical centre right here. So, imagine you are sick, you are getting a stroke or you are getting a heart attack and you have to [travel] on these roads. By the time you reach to the [health centre], it gets worst.”
“We are rehabilitating these roads. All of the areas that are damaged we are taking them out. We are going to lay back the bedrock, we are going to do the compacting and then we will put back the asphalted concrete,” Indar explained.
Minister Indar pointed out that several contractors will be operating on the streets, as the goal is to complete the works promptly. “The most competitive persons won those bids so we are getting the best value for money. We have to ensure that the works are done to specification and not when we finish it two minutes after it is broken again.”
Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Vishal Ambedkar complained that no infrastructural works were done under the previous APNU/AFC Government although representation was made.
He added that mobilisation of the contractors should begin during the week and the works are expected to commence shortly. Regional Chairman, Inshaan Sheik Ayube said he was pleased to learn that the region will be moving forward and in the right direction.
Meanwhile, over in Zeelugt North, West Coast Demerara (WCD), four streets will also be rehabilitated to the tune of $65 million. Minister Indar explained that the goal is to start works in almost every community in Guyana.
Other members that accompanied Minister Indar on his visits include Member of Parliament Tandika Smith; Regional Vice Chairman, Omesh Satyanand; Georgienna George, community representatives and officials from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
When the PPP/C Government took office, it conducted conditional surveys on roads throughout the country with the aim of conducting repair works.