THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI) will be looking to have the owners of the trucks that caused the collapse last week of a key bridge in the South Rupununi help finance its reconstruction.

According to the ministry, based on reports they received, the bridge collapsed when a flatbed truck carrying an excavator attempted to cross it.
Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the opening of the Kitty roundabout Monday, subject minister David Patterson said, “The issue that we have is the road users; you saw somebody with an excavator crossing the bridge.

I have already contacted the Ministry of Public Security and GGMC [Guyana Geology and Mines Commission] for them to help me in trying to find who are the owners of the truck; whether it is excavators, a legal operation, a mining operation or what.

“I can say for sure, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had no project going on in that area; however, we will be seeking to try and recoup some of the costs for the repairs.”
The MOPI has since dispatched a team to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) where the bridge at reference, the Yamatwao Bridge, is located following reports of its collapse, in the hope of having a temporary one put in place as early as possible.

The team has been tasked with assessing the severity of the damage and the cost to rehabilitate the bridge. “The overweight vehicle overextended the bridge’s capabilities, thereby causing the collapse,” the Ministry said in a statement Saturday, adding:

“This incident compounds the Ministry’s call to road users within the hinterland to strictly adhere to weight limits, especially during the wet season, since non-adherence can lead to structural failures, as demonstrated now. This incident is not the first of its kind and road users are reminded that they will be held accountable in instances of non-compliance to weight limits.”

Meanwhile, the Minister said the team dispatched to Region Nine has not yet given him an assessment on the situation, but he hastened to assure the media, “We will be building a temporary bridge so that the communities in the South Rupununi can be accessed, and then we will see exactly how we will be rebuilding the bridge to ensure it is safer.”