KINGSTON - The transformation that has taken place thus far in and around the city has not only seen eye sores removed, but a number of city roads have been rehabilitated, much to the satisfaction of commuters.
It is the intention of the administration to take this level of transformation to the outlying regions, and to do so, $640.9M will be spent to rehabilitate several hinterland roads that are in a terrible state of disrepair or deterioration.
Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Works Services Group, “We know for a fact that Bartica is supposed to become a town sometime next year in April, and the Ministry at this present time is looking to do a lot of inputs in terms of making Bartica into a town…we are going to be executing quite a number of roads and drainage works in Bartica.”
This means that as 2016 fast approaches, internal road networks will be significantly upgraded to the standards touted by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson. These roads are expected to last a minimum of five years.
Allocations from the 2015 budget will see works on the internal roads in Mahdia, Region Eight being significantly upgraded and rehabilitated. “… we have contracts out for the supply of materials for works to commence. As soon as those works commence in Mahdia, we will see vast improvement in terms of their infrastructure,” Vaughn explained.
As efforts continue to significantly improve the country’s road transportation network, the pivotal Linden-Lethem road will also receive attention.
“We know for a fact the Linden-Lethem road is also a link towards our neighbour which is Brazil, which would improve trade between the two countries, and we also have in train the deep water harbour for which studies are being done presently through (the) Inter-American Development Bank,” Vaughn said.
He added that those are some of the projects that link not only the country’s internal network, but also provide a connection to Guyana’s neighbours.
“It’s quite a big investment however, from the ministry’s point of view we will be trying to work the project into phases… this is where we are at this stage… working out the modalities in terms of how do we phase the project in or will the project be a private public partnership,” Vaughn added.
The sum of $640.9M was allocated for hinterland roads for 2015 which will be spent to complete and rehabilitate those in Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in areas such as Wanaina, Yarakita, Bartica, Brian Sucre Junction- Mahdia, Lethem, Katoonarib-Aishalton, and Aishalton-Kraudar; and reconstruction of internal roads in Mahdia.
