FOURTEEN persons from the Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani community of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) appeared yesterday before Magistrate Clive Nurse in the Christianburg Magistrate’s Court after the Guyana Police Force arrested and charged them on Tuesday with unlawfully blocking the Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani access road in the vicinity of Ituni, some 36 miles south of Linden.

One week ago, residents began using huge logs to block the roadway in a move intended to bring attention to its damaged state, in order that urgent repairs might be effected.
The charges read to Natasha Hinds, 32; Keisha Griffith, 29; Naresha Browne, 20; Nabryn Dryden 30; Derron Fraser; Rollin Leacock, 32; Dwayne Cameron, 38; Maurice Williams, 34; Dale Jerome, 19; Jeremiah Campbell, 19; Clayton McDonald, 46; Emmanuel Hercules; and a 15-year-old lad stated that they had caused obstruction of a public roadway in seeking to bring Government’s attention to the unacceptable state of the road, as they had allowed only certain types of transportation to pass through, such as the ambulance.
Emmanuel Hercules pleaded guilty and was fined $10,000 with an alternative of two months’ imprisonment; while the 13 others charged, including a 15-year-old lad, were each released on $5,000 bail.
The accused persons were represented by Attorneys-at-law Khemraj Ramjattan and James Bond.
Notably present at the court were Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon and APNU Member of Parliament, Ms Vanessa Kissoon.
In a release to the media on September 1, Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon had said, “On August 29, 2013, it was brought to my attention that, on the same day, residents of Sub-Region 2, i.e. Ituni, Kwakwani, Aroaima and the Berbice River communities, had coordinated to protest the conditions of the Linden–Kwakwani road by blockading the road at two points (which includes the seven-mile stretch of road between Linden and Coomacka) with the aim of preventing the flow of vehicular traffic.
“Upon investigation, it was learnt that the residents’ actions constitute a direct demand for Government to address the terrible conditions of the Linden–Kwakwani road.
“At this point, I wish to state that RDC 10 is in full support of the residents’ demands, particularly since — at our last engagement at the Office of the President on July 10, 2013 -– RDC 10 drew to your attention the unacceptable state of the road which serves as a lifeline for the people of Sub-Region 2.”
The Ministry of Public Works has responded, and will be repairing the road as mobilisation of the equipment needed to do the work is being done with financing from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
Urgent repairs are expected to start shortly, as contractors are being sought to begin the rehabilitation work on the road.
Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn expressed the view that consistent rainfall in the area and heavy duty equipment used on the road contributed to its poor state. He said that work was being done as a matter of urgency, and that the work should start within one week.