“PHYSICAL works on the West Coast Demerara (WCD)/East Bank Essequibo (EBE) road rehabilitation are to commence next week, as preliminary works are still ongoing,” said the Project Coordinator, Kester Hinds.

The project, known as the Fourth Road Project, will be focusing on the upgrading and the rehabilitation of the WCD/EBE roadway from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie, which will in turn increase the efficiency and safety of road transportation along the roadway.
According to Hinds, the contractors, BK International and Surrey Paving Aggregate Company Limited, have mobilised a small group which is still currently involved in preliminary works such as surveys of the project site and so forth.
“So far, we’ve been engaging in school and safety education, where we conduct interactive classroom sessions, and training among persons from the areas. One was held yesterday at the Regency Suites and another will be held on Wednesday at the same venue,” he said.
Apart from that, Hinds disclosed that they have a three-year timeframe to complete this project, and from his point of view he doesn’t see it going over this allotted time.
Efforts are being advanced under an agreement between the Ministry of Public Works and BK International for implementation of the US$46.7 Fourth Road Project – financed by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
At the contract signing, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said that the objectives of the project will be achieved through six components that would be implemented: Road Works; Road Safety Awareness; Capacity Building; Road Works’ Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Project Management.
He added that works would result in pavements being rehabilitated; the road being widened to separate pedestrians and cyclists from motorised traffic; traffic lights and road markings being installed and additional highway lights being provided; the Groenveldt Bridge being replaced; and utilities being relocated while extension culverts would be constructed.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC ADVANCES
Benn also pointed out that infrastructural development has a multiplying effect on socio-economic advances in the country, particularly in rural communities.
“There has been significant growth,” he said, adding that constrained infrastructural development poses real challenges to growth.
Benn’s Ministry, as per the CDB agreement, will be tasked with maintenance, which was identified by the CDB as a risk to the sustainability of the completed works. The Government will also be expected to report annually on their maintenance works, particularly since the project monitoring and evaluation component of the agreement is key to ensuring the standard and quality of such undertakings.
Additionally, a project management team will be supported by a steering committee and the Ministry, all of whom report to the CDB.
The Project Coordinator is Kester Hinds, while the CDB focal person is Glen McCarvell.
The project has several components, including the actual road works, road safety awareness at the level of the schools and community, capacity building, engineering services and project monitoring and evaluation.

 
By Navendra Seoraj