Region in the dark over delay in Lethem to Annai road works - Chairman
Uncertainty surrounds the delay in the commencement of contracted works along sections of the Lethem to Annai road, according to Region Nine Chairman Bryan Allicock.
The delay surrounding the commencement of road works along the Lethem to Annai stretch was highlighted last Saturday, in a letter written by John Andries, who explained that while road works have commenced between Lethem to the Pirara Bridge, the stretch of road from there to Annai remains untouched, much to the dissatisfaction of drivers who have for the past months been dealing with poor road conditions.
“It was announced in the media on 01/06/2018 that contracts were inked for repairs to the badly deteriorated LethemLinden road. And indeed some sections of this vital road corridor have already been repaired. A bone of contention at the moment, however, is the Lethem to Annai stretch of the road. Despite the rainy season having concluded almost a month ago, maintenance work has just been done from Lethem to Pirara Bridge, a distance of approximately 35 kilometers,” Andries wrote.
“A further 85 kilometers have to be completed; 85 kilometers of huge potholes, craters and ditches! This unrepaired section is an absolute nightmare for those who have to traverse it, with the infamous Hunt Oil stretch in a most deplorable state… It, therefore, begs the question of why the slothfulness in effecting the necessary repairs when contracts were signed since in June? The rainy season can’t be the reason because the rains ceased more than three weeks ago. Why is it that the contractor responsible for the maintenance of the Kurupukari to Annai section, another part of the road badly damaged during the rainy season, has completed almost 90% of the work allotted when the contractor responsible for the Lethem to Annai stretch has only completed 35%?” he questioned.
Allicock, when contacted last evening, said the road works that have been effected were a part of the emergency