IN response to an article published by the Guyana Times on Monday, titled “Linden roads in a deplorable state due to heavy downpours”, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has said by way of a press release that no new contracts can be passed at this time to address infrastructural concerns.

The article at reference named as being among some of the affected areas Casuarina Drive, in Mackenzie; Block 22, Wisroc; and the entry to Wisroc and Bloc 22, in Wismar.
The Ministry’s Regional Engineer is quoted as saying that he is well aware of the state of the roads in question, due to the inclement weather, but made the point that only Casuarina Drive falls under the ambit of the MoPI, and that just last year, 981 meters of asphaltic roadway was rehabilitated in Block 22, even though this section of road does not come under the Ministry’s purview.

As to the other areas highlighted in the ‘Times’ article, he said they are the responsibility of the Regional Democratic Council. Presently, the Ministry reportedly has only one ongoing project in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and that is the Bamia Road, which is a rollover project from 2019.

According to the MoPI, the finances for all of the maintenance works in the Region have already been expended, which is why all works in Linden have ceased until a budget is finalised by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Finance.
“Though the Ministry understands the grievances of the people in the region, and we empathise with you,” the MoPI said in its release, “we wish to reassure the residents that the areas under the purview of the Ministry will be placed as priority projects for the 2020/2021 budget allocation. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused at this time.”