–for publishing months-old photo to create anxiety

THERE is hardly a week that goes by where the Government, private citizens, companies and investors have to call on the publishers and editors of the Kaieteur News to retract, apologise or correct misinformation which are deliberately published.The latest blatant disregard for the true principles of professional and responsible journalism with the Kaieteur News was evident when they published a photograph on the front page of the Monday 8, September, 2014 edition of the papers with a bridge they claimed represented the present state of the structure along the Linden- Lethem road.
The Ministry of Public Works has since described the publishing of the photograph as a misleading and malicious attempt to mislead the public and create unfounded anxiety amongst commuters along the Linden/Lethem road.
According to the ministry in a press release, the photograph which was splashed on the front page of the newspaper was dated more than six months ago when severe difficulties were being experienced due to overloaded trucks crossing the very bridge, something that has since been regulated.
The minister further went on to say that the bridge is located 33 miles from Kurupukari and was fixed six months ago. Contractors working along the other critical sections of the road as well as commuters have since confirmed to the ministry that at the moment there is no such bridge existing in that condition along the Linden- Lethem road.
It was also pointed out that there continues to be maintenance works being carried out to the critical sections of the very stretch of road in keeping with schedules and those would be completed by mid-September, even as lateritic material is being used to compact the road.
The ministry identified the contractors working on the project as Troy Resources, Omai Gold Mines, Demerara Timbers Limited, Mekdeci Machinery and Construction and Vevakanand Dalip Enterprise.
With the works being carried out on the road and as it becomes even more passable, the travel time has been reduced from 16 hours to 12 hours. It is expected that the travel time will be further reduced when the entire stretch of critical sections is completed.
The Ministry, in its press release, is calling on the Kaieteur News to clarify its photograph and offer an apology forthwith.