The Linden to Lethem trail has returned to its deplorable state just about two weeks after it had been repaired. The trail is flooded and breakages at major intervals are causing it to be almost impassible once again.
This minibus transporting passengers to Mahdia stopped and occupants were forced to brave the flood and assist the driver
Residents of Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), who face the brunt of the challenges associated with the state of the trail, are pleading with the authorities to offer a long-term solution to this issue.
The residents accused the Government of neglect as they have made countless calls for intervention but haven’t even received a response from the subject Ministry.
Further, the road users alleged that a major contributing factor to this issue is the awarding of contracts to inexperienced contractors. Orlando Phillips, a bus operator who also resides in Mahdia, told Guyana Times on Sunday that if the Government steps in and awards a contract to a reputable contracting firm, the road can be fixed for the long term.
“These fly by night contracting companies that the Government giving contract to is the problem. They don’t know anything about road works. Somebody should be investigating these people and monitoring them because is we the people left to suffer,” he noted.
On Friday last, a minibus became fastened in a ditch on the flooded terrain for several hours. A passenger, Raymond Charles, that was in the minibus at the time reached out to Guyana Times. He explained that the trip, which usually takes seven hours is now 10 1/2 hours due to the deteriorated state of the roadway. He said that the bus, after being stuck, remained in the position for about two hours as the passengers came out to assist the driver in getting it out of the ditch.
“It’s very frustrating and overwhelming. Getting in and out of here is a task and its right there evident. No one is making this stuff up, the videos and images are plastered on social media every day and nothing is being done. The Administration don’t care about the people up here. The road fix about two weeks ago and that brought us a few days of relief but now we are back at square one, it’s the Ministry responsible for this…they need to intervene now,” he said.
Meanwhile, another resident and Councillor of Mahdia, Davo Ramphal, who also spoke to this publication, highlighted the agony he faced travelling into Mahdia on Thursday last. He said the journey took 11 1/2 hours, some 4 hours more than the trip usually takes. He said the passengers were forced to endure the minibus being stuck at various intervals along the trail. This resulted in the exhausted passengers having to disembark the minibus and plough through mud and floodwaters to offer the driver some assistance in getting out of those ditches to continue the journey to Mahdia.
Ramphal said that the current state of the road is due to the Administration giving contracts to friends and family who do not own the necessary machinery and equipment and who do not possess the relevant experience for conducting such works and as such, substandard works are being done. “The Administration giving contracts to party people that do not even own a spade or a shovel. They are giving these contracts to persons that don’t have tools and what happens is that the contractors receive the money to do nothing and residents are left to suffer the consequence and nobody cares,” he said.
Road users, particularly minibus operators, plying the trail have been complaining of the deteriorated condition of the trail which had become almost impassible over the past few months.
Just recently, rehabilitation works were done on the Linden to Lethem road. The remedial works which commenced on June 23 and completed on June 28, 2019, was expected to bring relief to minibus operators and passengers who traverse the trail, however, it lasted all of about two weeks.
The works were done on certain patches and major holes were filled. This was confirmed by the Mayor of the mining town, David Adams, who told Guyana Times that the works were done by the Regional Administration of Region Eight and vehicles are now able to reach into Mahdia.
He added, however, that due to the persistent heavy showers and the heavy-duty trucks traversing the area, he is unsure of how long the works would suffice.
He noted that the works have brought significant relief to the road users that have been suffering in the recent months.
