(DPI) THE government has pumped $60M into the construction of 1744 metres of asphaltic concrete roads in De Kinderen, Region Three ( Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Residents of De Kinderen Old Road, Young and Restless Street and the GDF Scheme are benefiting from this collaboration between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) and the regional administration.

According to MoPI Engineer Patiram Ramlall, the works came at the request of residents in the community, during an outreach Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson had in the community.

“Residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the roads in the area and after an inspection revealed that the roads were indeed in an unacceptable state, the ministry took a decision to bring immediate relief to the people of that community,” Ramlall said.

“The old road was virtually impassable and we had to start from scratch by laying a proper foundation. GDF scheme already had an existing foundation, but the potholes were too many to just patch. The integrity of that road was compromised, hence a complete resurfacing was necessary.”

Young and Restless Street was upgraded following a separate outreach with the Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikaran, when residents made representation for the street to be repaired. REO Jaikaran assured the residents that development will continue in all the communities across the region.

Representing the community, Councillor Colbert Leander thanked the ministry and the regional administration.

The 620 metres of road constructed in De Kinderen Old Road cost $31.6Million; GDF Scheme road with a length of 514 metres cost $13.4Million; and Young and the Restless Street with a length of 610 metres, was constructed at a cost of $15Million. The works were done by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd, XL Engineering and Y. Bhola Construction Company, respectively.