Essequibo Coast Road suffering rapid deterioration...
Charity Public Road, Mittelhollzer noted that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure started repairs to the road but had to discontinue work because of the rainy weather.
She commented that the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson had recently visited the area and had promised that repairs to the roads will be continued as soon as the weather lets up.
“The main parts of the road that is in a deplorable state is because two businessmen lifted the part in front of their businesses making it higher than the road which in turns causes a settlement of water because the water has nowhere to run off. Even if there is a little hole, the road will continue to get worse because when it rains, all the water is settled there and vehicles traverse there on a daily basis making it worse. These businessmen were not to lift the areas. If people continue doing what they want to do causing damages, how can you blame the REO?”
Mittelholzer made this comment after several persons used their Facebook pages to cast blame on the REO for what some called “poor management.”
One such resident, business owner and President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce, Deleep Singh, in a recent Facebook post said, “Charity Public Road is in a deplorable condition. Been like this for quite a while. Just poor quality patching been done. Apart from the usual commuters, 1500 school children walk on this road every day. Urgent attention needed. Calling on the Hon. Minister of Infrastructure to look into this and also our street lights not working for over 10 years. It seems to me Charity is not in Region 2. REO NEEDS TO COME HERE MORE OFTEN. All our trenches and main koker needs maintenance work to avoid a next flooding.”
The Regional Chairman has since said that attempts have been made to engage the ministry. However, they have not yet received a response.
“The RDC is disappointed that requests made to the Minister of Public Infrastructure, to have these important matters addressed, remain unanswered,” Ramdatt stated.
Nevertheless, he noted that being cognizant of the high rates of road accidents, a Road Safety Committee had been established comprising key stakeholders.
“The Ministry of Public Infrastructure ought to closely engage the RDC, as the Ministry utilizes public funds to implement projects within the region. Sharing of Bills of Quantities and related details on Contracts is very much needed in an effort to achieve transparency and accountability,” the Region Chairman said.
In the meantime, Ramdatt has stated that the RDC will continue to push for the details on future plans for the installation of lights along the public road ways and the upgrading of the entrance at the Good Hope Ferry Stelling, among other issues.
“The RDC remain[s] committed and openly pledges its cooperation to partner with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to act in the best interest of the residents,” the statement concluded.