DEPLORABLE and extremely inconveniencing were the terms used to describe the roads in the village of Tabatinga, located in Constituency Two in the municipality of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

Tabatinga is located on the outskirts of Lethem, in vicinity of the Takutu Bridge that links Guyana and Brazil. Upon approaching the village, the eye is greeted with what appears to be a “three-lane road”, as was described by Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles.

But this “three-lane road” was not designed to facilitate three lanes of traffic; instead, the description applies because the road is eroded on the two sides, with just a strip of the actual road remaining.

The mayor explained that the road which was built under the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) Administration did not have any shoulders or drains, and the material was strictly double bituminous surface treatment (DBST), which deteriorated rapidly.

“This is the only part of the country where we have a three-lane road,” Mayor Beckles said, adding that the road has been of great inconvenience to the people of that village. “Fixing this road would be greatly appreciated by the residents who traverse these roads every day, because a lot of them have to use it for economic activities, and in its deplorable state it affects them tremendously. So the people are in dire need of having these roads rebuilt in a proper way,” Beckles said.

And the Mayor said that because of the non-consultative approach the PPP had adopted when this road was built, he is recommending this approach not be repeated when efforts are made to repair this road. “What we would like to see happening, going forward, is the Ministry of Public Infrastructure collaborating with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Municipality to discuss the type of roads needed, and where they are to be built,” he said.

He went on to state that the region would greatly appreciate asphalt-built roads, particularly the main roads, because of the frequency of vehicular movement in that village.

Additionally, he noted that proper drainage in that area is needed to support the survivability of the roads, once completed.

(Ravin Singh)