SCORES of residents and vehicles lined both sides of the East Bank Berbice roadway, between Glasgow and Heathburn, early Monday morning, blocking the free flow of traffic there, as they protested the deplorable state of it, again. Noting that the thoroughfare is for the use of all classes of workers, the Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. David Armogan described the action as disturbing.
He said other commuters were hindered from traversing freely because of the blockage, aided by Alliance for Change (AFC) members Gerard Ramsaroop and Freddie Kissoon.
Armogan charged that the latter two, seemingly, used a genuine issue for a political mileage.
In an invited comment, he said there is nothing wrong with a protest but, when the road is blocked, it is disturbing.
Armogan acknowledged that the route is in a terrible condition and that the residents had been patient for a while.
However, he said contractor Nauth and engineers from the Ministry of Public Works had made an inspection and agreed to have remedial work done.
“But, when I look at the road, I can’t see them doing remedial work as it is not a piece of the road which is bad; the entire roadway is in a bad state. We need to do holistic work instead of doing patch work,” Armogan confirmed.
He said the protesters are asking for President Donald Ramotar to visit the area but, with his scheduled itinerary, it might not be possible this week.
“Maybe another senior minister can come,” Armogan suggested, pointing out that the repair/reconstruction of the East Bank Berbice roadway is a Central Government project and the National Budget has not yet been passed in Parliament.
“We cannot get supplementary expenditure passed, especially with what is going on, because you know how it is in Parliament,” he remarked.

FORTUNATE
Meanwhile, the complainants recalled that, just recently, a seven-year-old child fell off his bicycle and injured himself in one of the several potholes but was fortunate to be alive, due to the quick intervention of a hire car driver.
An elderly woman among the protesters said school age children are mostly affected, as they are prevented from attending classes and many of them have assignments given by their respective teachers.
She maintained that the residents have had enough and need to see President Ramotar urgently.
According to the woman, who did not want her name mentioned, an Information Liaison to the President had told the residents, at a previously held meeting, that the area was too under populated to be listed as a top priority road project.
She argued, though, that places in East Canje, such as Gangaram and New Forest, have far less people and, yet, there are all weather roads there.
Oma Singh,who received her driver’s licence about two years ago, said the status of the road complained of has caused her finances to dwindle, as much has to be spent at mechanic shops, straightening wheels and replacing tyres.
“As a driver, I have to expect the unpredictable. I cannot use the left hand side of the road. I have to drive all over just to avoid the large potholes. While doing so, I have to be looking for the cyclists and other road users, especially children. We need to have this road done. We are putting up with this for too long,” she emphasised.
On August 17, 2007, a multi-million dollar contract was signed to rehabilitate the East Bank Berbice road, from Islington to Everton, in the presence of residents and hire car drivers at Glasgow Village. The job was assigned to contractor Ignatius Jaikissoon and, then, Regional Executive Officer Desmond Kissoon also signed.

PENALTY
The contractor was to, satisfactorily, complete all works within a month from the date of signing and it was stated that failure would attract a penalty for each delay.
It was documented that the contractor excavate potholes to form regular geometrical shapes and remove loose material.
In addition, first grade compact crusher run must be supplied and spread into potholes and areas of depression, in keeping with the arrangements.
Since then, hire car drivers and other residents have staged protests on two previous occasions, very vocal in their disapproval.
Spokesman for the Hire Car Association, Maxwell Semple said what was detailed in the contract would not permanently remedy the faults on the road.
Instead, it would create more expense for motorists as the road would become uneven.