– under CRIP
RESIDENTS of two Region Three communities, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, are to benefit from improved roads shortly under the Community Roads Improvement Project (CRIP) which kicked off in Region Five on July 15. Contracts valued $163M were signed on Tuesday with Dipcon Engineering Services Limited in the boardroom of the Tuschen/Uitvlugt Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in the presence of Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali, ministry officials, engineers, and residents.

Dipcon will rehabilitate, construct, upgrade and improve 23 roads in the Tuschen/Uitvlugt NDC. 
The initiative dates back to three years ago when President Bharrat Jagdeo visited the area for a Cabinet Outreach, and the residents had asked that His Excellency intervene.
Minister Ali urged that residents play an active part in maintaining the roads and noted that the main asphaltic road in the Tuschen Housing Scheme was recently completed and, two days after, four tractors took up residence on the road shoulders.
“We can have the best infrastructure, if you don’t have social responsibility and a culture that is developed within our society to respect and treat with the investments in a manner that will ensure that they remain sustainable, then we have a bigger problem than even building the roads…We all equally contribute when we do the wrong things,” he said.
He urged that citizens use the opportunity of enhancing living conditions to ignite a change of behaviour and culture within a community.
The minister pointed out that since 2006, over $6.5B was spent to develop the housing sector. Against the background of countries such as the USA trying to cut social spending, and the Caribbean already cutting spending in health, roads and education due to the economy not having enough to pay public servants, Minister Ali noted that Guyana is a resilient country, and has withstood the financial crisis.
Regional Chairman, Region Three, Mr. Julius Faerber described the signing of the 23 roads contact as a historic one and explained that the roads were selected through inspection and community consultations.
He urged that upon completion of the roads, residents play their part in protecting and maintaining the structure and that they work with the contractor to ensure that quality work is executed.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Nigel Dharamlall said his ministry is pleased to participate in a development undertaken by Government and the Housing Ministry. Dharamlall noted that there are still areas on the coast where people walk on mud dams, as such, residents should acknowledge the investment undertaken by government for the benefit of the citizens.
Roads to be improved will cover 7.15 km in communities namely: Uitvlugt-Bruda Street and Sideline dam, Zeeburg-Mandal Street, Old Road, Corilla Street and School Street, De Willem- Cone Shop Street, Meten-Meer-Zorg (East) – Kastev Road Street, Pump Station Street, Kastev back Road, 1st Street, 2nd Street, 1st Cross Street, 2nd Cross Street and 1st Street Prem Nagar, Meten-Meer-Zorg (West) – Red Spot Road, Middle Street Railway View, Middle Street Railway View, Tarla Dam and 1st, 2nd, 3rd,4th and 5th Cross Street Housing Scheme.
In addition, the cleaning, reshaping and realigning of existing roadside drains along with the construction of new drains will be undertaken. The One culvert will be rehabilitated and the provision of safety features such as signage, road markings and speed humps on the specified roads will be done.
According to Dipcon’s country manager, Vishnu Mungal, works are expected to commence within the next two weeks.
CRIP, which will be implemented in 12 NDCs in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 has as its main aim improving access to housing, education, health, and other social infrastructure and caters for the construction of 204 roads.
The Region Five contract, valued at $188M, will facilitate the upgrade of 14 old housing scheme roads. In Bath, 6.8 kilometres or 14 roads will be improved with Double Bituminous Surface Treatment (DBST).
Minister Ali said that CRIP is a people’s project, and will benefit over 13,000 Region Five residents.
Following the completion of the roads, a Road Maintenance Plan will be handed over to the RDCs that would educate the local management on how to effectively and efficiently maintain the infrastructure.