Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Balraj Balram, has stated that a technical team from the Ministry is in Mabura, Region Ten, conducting an assessment for the two bridges, 40 Miles and 42 Miles, which partially collapsed yesterday.
Balram noted that while the bridge at 42 Miles is impassible since the culvert is completely blown out, vehicles may cross the bridge at 40 Miles with some difficulty.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, stated that the structures were damaged because of heavy overnight rainfall which caused flash flooding in the creeks.
Technical Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Walter Willis, stated that, “a contractor is on site at the Mabura side and is stockpiling laterite in that area. The Ministry’s engineers have gone on site to liaise with the contractor.”
He highlighted that the Ministry will provide eight HDPE pipes (36 inches diameter 40-foot length) and three will be allotted to 40 Miles and five to 42 Miles to create temporary driveways.
Minister Benn further noted that Region Eight Chairman Senor Bell has informed him that vehicles cannot access the barge at Mango Landing due to exceptionally high water in the Essequibo River at that location.