Vriesland residents protest against damage caused to roads by heavy-duty vehicles

Residents of Vriesland, West Bank Demerara took to the streets on Friday in protest against the destruction of several community roads by heavy-duty vehicles working on the gas-to-energy project.
The residents have said they had attempted to have the matter addressed, but to no avail; and as such, on Friday they drew attention to the relevant authorities by blocking the roadway, thus halting traffic, especially those serving the gas-to-energy project in Wales.
Despite being cautioned by the police, the residents were adamant that they wanted to speak with someone from the Government, thus forcing Public Works Minister Juan Edghill to visit the area.
The meeting with the aggrieved residents saw them informing Minister Edghill that several homes had sustained damage due to speeding trucks. Damage ranged from cracked walls to sinking yards.
Junior Garnett, a resident, related that the issue has worsened, and the roads have become impassable. “We needed this a long time, because we vehicles can’t come in or come out. If we have an emergency, you can’t get out! So, it is very good that the minister came,” Garnett declared.
Edghill, in response, ordered emergency works to be conducted, and has since contracted Diamond Construction – a community-based contracting company, to execute the work needed to rehabilitate the roads.
Another resident, Nadie Budwah, expressed gratitude for the intervention. “Well, we are happy, because we have been calling for this for a long time. We’re sorry we had to use this kind of force (protest) to get attention, but we are happy and we are asking that they full the whole and keep maintaining it while using the road.”
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill further committed to engaging the entities that utilise the thoroughfare about their responsibility to help maintain roads. In fact, he disclosed that all engineers working in the area would sign an agreement committing to foot the cost of maintenance.
“We can’t stop development, but development could take place with minimum inconvenience to the residents. So, people can’t look at their interest and destroy other people’s lives at the same time. We have to have a straight and frank talk with them (operators and business owners)…The only condition for them to continue to operate is that: number one, we got to get a speed limit; number two, they have to maintain the road; and number three, they have to (show) better respect for the people of the community,” the minister stated.
Edghill reiterated the Government’s stance against contractors who disrespect and insult citizens in their operational areas.
“There must be a better relationship between operators and citizens while they are executing contracts on behalf of the Government. Bullyism will not be the standard that we will tolerate. People are always willing to tolerate inconvenience, but they cannot tolerate people being insulting and abusive towards them,” he asserted.