By Elvin Carl Croker

SOPHIA residents have showered high praise on the Government of Guyana for fulfilling its promise with the much needed infrastructural works being undertaken in their area.

Residents say it is evident almost everywhere in their area, that there are massive infrastructural works being done on roads, bridges and public open space playfields.

The works, which are being done by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) under the consolidation of existing housing schemes component of the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, are funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to the tune of US$16M.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA Lelon Saul, in an invited comment on the sidelines of the National Conference of Local Democratic Organs at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday, said six contractors are contracted to carry out the works being undertaken in Sophia.

“What we are doing is, we are upgrading the infrastructure, that is the roads, bridges and public open space playfields,” he said.

We noted that several roads that run east to west will be constructed and upgraded, which will allow for the linking of the plantation from ‘A’ Field to ‘B’ Field and ‘C’ Field to ‘D’ Field.
The works are aimed at developing low-income communities and will see the construction of eight bridges that will allow for the connection of the roads currently under construction.

Saul said that the scope of works includes upgrades to 34km of asphaltic roads and 20km of drainage improvements, including the construction of concrete drains where necessary, and 8km of sidewalks.

“We would also be distributing about 300 home improvement subsidies and we would be constructing 50 core houses in that area,” he said.

He noted that the Sophia works represent only phase one of the five-year programme and that work will be done in La Parfaite Harmony Housing Scheme and on the East Bank of Demerara in 2020.

When the Pepperpot Magazine visited one of the construction sites, Site Foreman Elroy Haynes related that two of eight bridges were about 90 per cent complete.

He said the works which started in June suffered some setbacks due to the weather, but is scheduled to be completed on time.

The two bridges that are near completion connect ‘A’ Field to ‘B’ Field.
He said the next pair of bridges to be built will be in the vicinity of the Sophia Primary and Nursery Schools and will also be connecting ‘A’ Field to ‘B’ Field and will commence this month.

Residents say that these infrastructural improvements will greatly improve their accessibility to the area, since access is presently restricted to a small access bridge and they are relieved and thankful for the new road and bridge.

Other development works in the pipeline for the area are the installation of 10km solar integrated street lights and the construction of eight recreational facilities.

Ramcharitar Construction Company has been contracted to build the eight bridges, while S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies Construction Services are constructing some of the roads and pavements.

US$5 million has been earmarked for a Home Improvement Subsidy Programme, which will see 2,000 persons accessing as much as $500,000 to rehabilitate their homes. Under that component as well, another US$5 million has been budgeted for the construction of 250 core homes within the outlined areas.