Region 2 RDC appeals for Government to address issues

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) is appealing to Government to be facilitated an urgent meeting to address a number of issues which have become a burden to the region.

Frustrated Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has claimed to have written a number of letters to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson several weeks ago in an attempt to address numerous urgent matters within the region, and on Monday, Ramdatt disclosed that none of his letters has received a response.
According to a letter sent to the minister, a copy of which was received by this newspaper, Chairman Ramdatt requested a completion date for the Onderneeming Sand Pit Road, repairs to which commenced since last year and are still incomplete. This letter also sought insight on several other projects which were promised, such as the sea defence project to address the rapid erosion between Zorg and Johanna, and the installation of new generators at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) station in Anna Regina to prevent the far-too-frequent power failures which continue to affect the entire region, especially the business community.Plans to strengthen the river and sea defences in Region Two were announced by Government in April of last year, while the Region was reportedly promised more generators to tackle the issue of power outages.
Chairman Ramdatt has also complained that the Region Two Administration has not yet been made aware of the villages which will receive street lights, nor has a date for the commencement of installation works been communicated, although the Infrastructure Ministry (MoPI) had announced plans to install the much needed street lights since last month.
Additionally, residents are asking for the only public airstrip in the region, located in Mainstay, to be given priority treatment in 2019, and that the ferry service which links the region to other parts of the country be reviewed.
Residents of Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast have recently voiced their concerns over the poor quality work done on the community’s main access road. According to residents, part of the road, completed only a few months ago, has already begun to show deterioration of the surface, and there are potholes appearing. Residents, especially vehicle owners, are questioning the quality of work done, and the poor design.
Guyana Times was told that the access road is the gateway to the backlands, and on a daily basis is being used by heavy-duty vehicles transporting logs, sand, and other materials.
This publication understands that, owing to heavy rainfall, works on the road were put on hold, to be continued as early as weather conditions permit. The contract was awarded through Central Government by the Public Infrastructure Ministry.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) had reported since last October that plans were underway for the rehabilitation of the Mainstay airstrip, but no work has commenced there.