– farmers see great relief; more opportunities for business persons

By Telesha Ramnarine

RESIDENTS across several regions of Guyana are keenly anticipating the road projects that will be rolled out under the Irfaan Ali-led Government, which will see the construction and rehabilitation of roads in key areas that will, among other things, link communities.

Such roads, according to Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, are expected to be done in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
For some farmers, earning an income is extremely difficult as they will have to walk miles just to get to their farms. This might be because a vehicle would be unable to cross the different swamps that are found along the way.

Others are unable to make a living when it rains and the roads are flooded. Furthermore, because of the poor condition of the roads, the minibus drivers charge quite a hefty price to compensate for the amount of maintenance work that they will have to do on their vehicles.
The government, though, has so far said it is cognizant of the dilemma faced by those in the hinterland communities, as far as the roads are concerned.
“One of the most significant things about the interior is the cost of logistics, and with the upgrading of roads and airstrips and logistic facilities, it will ease the burden on our miners, loggers, cost of food going into the interior, and generally contribute to a higher standard of living, as well as a decreased cost of living,” Dharamlall expressed during an interview with this publication recently.

WILL IMPROVE PRODUCTION

Enhancing and constructing roads, according to him, will also improve production in the extractive sectors; in forestry and mining, and will provide tremendous support to these industries.

Committee member for the Kamwatta Village Council, in Region One, Sherwin Vivierous, has offered that the improvement of roads in the Moruca sub-region is especially important as many persons depend on farming for a living.
“In Kamwatta, most people farm far inland, so getting access to their farms, they have to cross swamps and so on, so the government will have to build bridges over these swamps and then open the roads again,” he posited, adding, “To get to one farm, you may have to cross like three swamps and that’s very strenuous on farmers who would have to fetch their produce.”

The farms are often not in walking distance to the market. “Transportation is very expensive because the roads are not good. To maintain vehicles is very costly, so the drivers would charge a high price from passengers,” Vivierous informed.

Toshao for Kwebana Village, Paul Pierre, believes that what needs to happen is steady maintenance of the roads that already exist. “They need to open up the roads so that they can get sunlight and dry off quickly because during the dry season, the road is good but just as the rain starts falling, it gets holes and you would have some amount of damage there,” he said.

The road link between Moruca and Kwebana is about 22 miles, while the link from Santa Rosa to Manawarin is about 12 miles and from Santa Rose to Waramuri, about eight miles. These roads are the main links between the villages and Santa Rosa, which is the administrative centre for the Moruca sub-region.

Pierre, also the vice-chairman for the National Toshao’s Council, said using roads is also a cheaper form of transportation, as using the river via boat can be quite expensive.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall told this newspaper, on Saturday, that creating roads to link Bartica to other places would not only see development, but would result in great business opportunities.

“We are passionately requesting government to do the road linking Bartica to Linden, along with the one linking Bartica to Mahdia. What this will do is open up business not only for the miners, but for the people of the town. This road network will also impact small communities and empower them and create the level of development needed, making them easily accessible to hinterland towns,” he said.

“The road between Bartica and Mahdia was in a better state during the 60s and 70s but it was never paved. We would be very grateful if this road network can be done again. It will improve the communities along the way, like 72 Miles, and will open up better avenues for persons who have to access their mining camps,” Marshall added.

He is also hoping that the Puruni Road will be upgraded, since it is an important access to middle Mazaruni.
Coordinator for the South Rupununi District Council, Kid James, said South Rupununi is no exception to the places needing better roads, but he feels that the construction and rehabilitation of different roads so far have been “haphazard”.
James wants the communities be engaged before the roads are built so that residents can be educated on how to make the best use of them. “A lot of Guyanese feel that once the road is built, it is opened to everybody but mining equipment and heavy-duty vehicles can damage the infrastructure in place,” he proffered.

“Any road building will be welcomed in our communities,” James expressed.