PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, while on other business in Bartica, seat of administration of Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), on Saturday paid a site visit to Potaro Road, where repairs in the sum of $89M are in progress. 

During the course of the inspection, he remarked that infrastructural works are “vital” to the Region, given that it is regarded as the ‘gateway’ to the Hinterland, and has the potential of bolstering economic activity in the natural resources sector.
“Region Seven,” he began, “is an important region in our country, like every other region. Region Seven is the gateway into the Interior, and it is not an easy terrain; it is rough, so the infrastructure work, while it is expensive, is vital.”
A key aspect of the project, however, is the focus on maintenance. “The infrastructure in the Region has been improving, but the challenge we have is to maintain it,” the President said. .”We have to talk to the operator to understand the

weight limitations as they move along roads like the Potaro Road.”
While on the subject of maintenance, President Ramotar made clear his Administration’s commitment to ensure that, where necessary, resources are made available to further improve public infrastructure and, by extension, improve the livelihoods of all Guyanese.
Accompanying the President during his walk along Potaro Road was Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr. Robeson Benn, who told the Guyana Chronicle that there are other projects ongoing in the region.
“We have to continue with some drainage works; we also have work going on further up the road,” he said, adding that there is close collaboration with the private sector on many projects in the region, which would go a long way in helping address the issue of maintenance.
“Right now,” Mr Benn said, “we have Guyana Goldfields also working with us to improve on roads used to their concession; so there is collaboration going on with the private sector.”
Some months ago, the state of Potaro Road in particular, and roads in the region in general, was brought to the attention of the authorities by residents, who asked that something be urgently done to address the situation.
Where the Potaro Road is concerned, heavy traffic and the inclement weather resulted in the rapid deterioration of the laterite road, while sections of the road from Bartica to the Five Miles Housing Scheme, along the Potaro Road, were made nearly impassable due to huge potholes.
In response, a team of engineers from the Public Works Ministry held discussions with Region Seven Chairman, Mr Gordon Bradford, so as to assess what needed to be done. During that meeting, the Public Works Ministry disclosed that that section of the road will be rehabilitated, using asphalt.

(Vanessa Narine)