Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on Thursday apologised to top officials in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) for the delay being experienced in completing the East Bank Berbice Road project.
Patterson met with Region Six officials for discussions and to provide them with updates on a number of infrastructural works being undertaken there.
The meeting was attended by Regional Chairman David Armogan and his regional councillors; Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mrs Kim Williams-Stephens; representatives from the Community Oversight Committee (COC); and engineers from the Public Infrastructure Ministry who are overseeing works within the region.
Minister Patterson explained that the meeting was facilitated to primarily provide an update on the East Bank Berbice Road project, which has seen some delay. Resident Engineer Joel Tucker explained that the current delays are due to ongoing relocation of utilities as well as the sourcing of materials. Nonetheless, he said, the Ministry’s team is working around the clock to get the project rolling.
Tucker added that the issue of dust pollution, about which residents have been complaining, is being addressed by wetting of the roadway, and this effort would be doubled when another water tender is brought on stream.
The main concern going ahead, the engineer added, is the relocation of the road’s alignment. He noted that as part of the project, a revision of the road’s alignment is necessary to maximise the functionality and safety of the roadway.
Currently, large trucks are forced to manoeuvre around sharp turns in some areas, with blind-spots placing road users at risk. However, Tucker said the alignment would most likely require the re-acquisition of land gazetted as the Government of Guyana’s. In some areas, residents reside on these lands.
Meanwhile, Minister Patterson reaffirmed that Government is focused on minimising the inconveniences residents may face. “We will only take what is needed; if we can avoid homes in the realignment, we will,” Minister Patterson emphasised.
He added that residents are being kept in the loop through the COC representatives, and will be sensitised on the possible acquisition process.
Following the meeting, Minister Patterson visited the roadway to get a first-hand look at the challenges being experienced. He also visited works being executed by the Ministry on Main Street in New Amsterdam, at Strand and at Republic Streets; and at the communities of Canje and Belvedere Housing Scheme.
During the community visits, Minister Patterson met with residents and received feedback from them. He expressed satisfaction with on-going road works, but requested the installation of speed bumps.
According to the residents, the roads are being used as “race courses”, a situation they would like to be rectified to improve safety.
The one thousand, two hundred million dollar ($1.2 billion) East Bank Berbice Road Project will feature the upgrade of nearly 5 kilometres of roadway, and will include improved roadway lighting and marking; traffic signs, and the reconstruction of two bridges and two culverts.
During the meeting with regional officials, the Public Infrastructure Minister got feedback from them, and information as well on the progress of works on other Berbice projects, and areas of focus in 2018.
