Reports of shoddy work on the Parika/Hubu road are simply unacceptable

The Government is bombarded everywhere they go about the state of community roads, drains and bridges. Poor, shoddy work that requires constant “do overs” have made us poor over the years. So, I am quite disturbed at the recent news that “Poor work being executed on the Parika-Hubu road” (SN, Oct. 21, 2022). I have property in that area. That Parika-Bendorf region is very productive and contributes substantially to Guyana’s development. There are several sawmills there that support the Government’s aggressive infrastructural and housing program. It’s also a breadbasket as it produces an enormous amount of provisions, fruits, and vegetables. That area is a “PPP votes’ farm.”

Many people find employment in that area. It is very important that this road is well built to withstand the heavy traffic of laden lumber and large trucks that take produce to markets. The foundation must be well done and the asphalt should be very thick, not one inch. It was reported that it will cost “$351.3 M to upgrade Hubu Access Road” (KN, Jun 24, 2022). That’s good money and we want to see good value for taxpayers’ money. That Parika-Hubu Road has been built several times before but because of shoddy work, it breaks down easily, and has to be repaired after a year. When that road is bad, it is a poster child for a “bad road.”

During the 2020 election campaign, a PM Candidate called it the “abortion road” referring to the “juckking up” you endure as you navigate potholes. This time around, the Ministry and residents must be vigilant to ensure the contractors are not cutting corners and doing shoddy work. That is simply unacceptable, but quite typical across the country. A recent letter cited a number of problems – the work is moving slowly, prep work is not followed by quick paving and deterioration steps in, and no one seems to care. Who is the engineer? I have talked with residents and they said the contractor does not seem to have adequate or proper equipment, they do not seem to be in a hurry, nobody knows what’s going on, and the Bill of Quantities/specs of the work are not available for community monitoring.

Residents think the contract is for hodge-podge repair work, not construction of a robust road. Patching here and there using crusher run is not acceptable. Unless the road is being built as a farm to market road that can withstand heavy traffic, we are wasting our money - $351.3 million - to build a slipshod road. This is simply unforgivable. We are glad our PPP Government has given priority to this project, but we want to end up with an excellent road, not a poorly built road that would crumble quickly. We call on the appropriate Ministry to make available the Bill of Quantities for this project and all projects so communities may know what is supposed to be done and monitor for quality construction and progress made towards the set timelines.

Somebody needs to light a fire under the contractors so things may move swiftly with excellent quality, and meeting construction timelines. Patchwork is simply inadequate for a road that must carry heavily laden trucks on a daily basis. Maybe there needs to be a progress audit to make sure contractors are doing what we have in the contracts. We look forward to urgent intervention from the Government side.