THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Cuyuni Mazaruni, on Sunday, commissioned two bridges which can accommodate heavy-duty vehicles in the Kalcoon community.
The bridges will give residents easier access to Central Bartica. Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, said this project was initiated following a request from the chairman of the Community Development Council, John Campbell, who voiced the struggles the residents face to access survival means.

The bridges were constructed at a cost in excess of $8M from the savings of the RDC. Bradford told the Guyana Chronicle that Kalcoon is an Amerindian community in Bartica with a population of approximately 200. Using a narrow trail, the residents would walk to the main access road, the Potaro Road in Bartica, to attend work, school, access healthcare and other means of livelihood.

“What happens, because it is a trail, and a creek runs through part of the trail, the bridge allows them to cross over the creek with ease. Prior to this, there was a dilapidated structure that was not useable, and when it rains that creek area floods and persons cannot get to cross,” Bradford explained.

There was even an instance where a child almost drowned at the area, he added.
However, with these new high-rise, heavy-duty bridges, persons can have access to the main road, even during heavy rainfalls.

The chairman also disclosed that the RDC is looking to construct a road through the trail which, in its current state, does not allow for vehicular traffic.

Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, commended the efforts of the RDC. He told the Guyana Chronicle that the municipality of Bartica is committed to the development of every community under their remit.

“Therefore, we continue to seek the support of all stakeholders and agencies to meet the needs of our people. We commend the Regional Democratic Council for responding to the call of the residents of Mora Camp/Kalcoon and building two bridges. These bridges will make a difference to dozens of school children who use that path daily. Further, it creates easy access for all residents to Kalcoon, a striving Amerindian community. The people of Bartica must be assured that wherever our people are, we will continue to make representation for their needs to be met,” Marshall said.

He added too that the commissioning of the bridges comes at a time when residents of Dagg Point will have electricity, for the first time, in a few weeks. The Dagg Point has been in existence for over 100 years.

“I must commend GPL and in particular their CEO for continued support to the vision of bringing the good life to all the people of Bartica, despite where they are located. In addition, Mora Camp and Kalcoon will, in a matter of weeks, also have electricity for the very first time,” he added.