MUCH to the dissatisfaction of minibus drivers who ply the Linden-Kwakwani route, the construction of an all-weather road between the two locations has not commenced despite a budgetary allocation of $55M.The drivers claim to be suffering as a result of the current state of the 150-mile road, which is at present a rough mixture of slush, condensed soil particles and enormous pot holes.

According to one bus driver who identified himself as ‘Tiger’, the condition of the road has caused several accidents over the years, especially when it rains. The minibus drivers are calling on the relevant authorities to have the road construction expedited since they have been suffering for over seven years.

“This access road has been in a deplorable state for as long as I can remember and it is really taking bread out of our pockets,” he lamented, supposedly speaking on behalf of the others.

And Regional Vice-Chairman, Elroy Adolph, who hails from Kwakwani is hoping that the present contractor is changed once the road construction commences, since he has been failing the drivers and residents miserably. He also posited that the aggregates used to complete this task are mediocre and incompatible with the natural soil of the roadway.

According to Adolph, the materials are sluggishly thrown on the surface and roughly graded down. When heavy duty trucks and other vehicles pass, the road is opened and left with huge holes. When it rains, the vehicles experience tremendous difficulty to pass and have to engage in team pushing as the vehicle often becomes stuck.

“When the rain fall, we does have to lay planks on the road for the vehicles to pass as the state the road was in made it impossible to drive through,” said bus driver ‘Tiger’.

Under normal weather conditions it would take a bus driver approximately three hours to reach their destination, but in inclement weather it would take about 4-5 hours. This would result in the consumption of additional gasoline as the vehicle would face a tremendous battle with the challenging conditions of the road.

In addition, the Vice-Chairman recommends that quality materials be used to construct the roads.

“Is seven years that this contractor continues to use the same type of materials on the road and it continues to fail us so we need proper materials,” commented ‘Tiger’.

And also commenting on the issue was Regional Chairman, Renis Morian, who told this publication that the road has been tendered for, and the sum of $55M has been allocated for its construction.

Although a contractor has not yet been awarded the contract, he has advised contractors to gather up their work force so that commencement can start immediately as the weather permits. “I have told the contractors to gather up their force so they can start right after,” he said.

Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, during a recent visit to Kwakwani, revealed to the residents that the $55M will not allow for a bituminous road but his ministry was in the process of securing a loan for such construction and this was roundly applauded by the residents.