THE Regional Administration of Region 8 is deeply concerned about the present state of roads in the Mahdia community, especially since several improvements have been effected in other areas during the first half of the year. Region 8 Executive Officer (REO), Mr. Ronald Harsawack, speaking with this newspaper, indicated that contracts would soon be awarded for road works totalling some $13M. Those works will see rehabilitation of the Airport, Hospital and Gas Station roads, along with installation of several new culverts at Seven Mile, Princeville and Apoo villages, currently in varying stages of completion.
Harsawack noted that, for 2012, $20M would be spent on construction and maintenance of roads in the North Pakaraimas, as the contracts were inked between the Regional Democratic Council, the Village Council and the Ministry of Works; and works will commence shortly.
The proposal in the 2013 budget will take into account the continuation of these roadways, which will reach into Bamboo Creek, Kato, Paramakatoi, Kopinang, Maikwuk, Monkey Mountain and Chuing Mouth, to name a few.
Residents had, over the years, shared their views on the deplorable state of the roadways and the high maintenance cost to vehicles, since the roadways had severely deteriorated over the prolonged rainy season.
The state of the roads had also negatively impacted transportation of fuel, food and other commodities into the community; and movement of health workers was also affected.
Mahdia has seen an increase in vehicle ownership, and movement through main roadways has become a pain, since major damage is caused to these vehicles over time, and maintenance as well as spare parts’ costs keep increasing.
A number of vehicles were seen being operated without number plates and/or front and back bumpers, since those were damaged in using the roadways in Mahdia.

Electricity
Mahdia residents are happy at the introduction of reliable electricity to the community through the Mahdia Power & Light (MPL) Company, which has been in operation over the past six months.
A source indicated that the supply has been a relief to residents, since it has greatly reduced consumption of fuel to operate individual standby generating sets; and the MPL cost per unit of electricity consumed is affordable.
The residents noted that the strict electrical installation policy set out by MPL, and regular inspection to have an incident free network, are what the suppliers are presently establishing.
Speaking with a few business owners, it was explained that the new grid system was long awaited; and it assists the development of the community and regularizes the community’s electrical supply to a controllable standard.
The grid network, which, since commissioning in February, has some 460 customers connected, has seen a stable rate of electrical consumption per household.