New-look Charlestown bridge declared open
At Saturday’s commissioning of the bridge are, from left: Councillor Heston Bostwick; Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine; and Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill (Ministry of Public Works photos)
At Saturday’s commissioning of the bridge are, from left: Councillor Heston Bostwick; Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine; and Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill (Ministry of Public Works photos)

– Min. Edghill vows to continue being of service to residents of north, south Georgetown

MINISTER of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill on Saturday morning cut the traditional ribbon to formally commission the newly constructed concrete bridge at Sussex and Hogg Streets, Charlestown.

While there, he seized the opportunity to remind those present at the function of the government’s enduring commitment to improving the quality of life of all Guyanese.
“I want to assure the mayor, and the citizens of Guyana that the Irfaan Ali-led government will not sit back and allow the deterioration of the city, or allow suffering to the people of Georgetown. We will intervene whenever it is necessary,” Minister Edghill said.

He further detailed the government’s willingness to work with the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), as well as citizens of Guyana on developmental projects in the future.
“There are things that we must do to fix things in Georgetown; we have to collaborate. We have to put partisan politics aside, and we have to engage constructively for the development of the city, and for the welfare of all Guyanese,” the minister asserted.

The newly commissioned bridge at Sussex and Hogg Streets

“The city is not just merely the city, it’s the seat of government; it is the capital of our country. It’s the place where tourists and all international delegations and visitors come and move about in the first instance, before going to the interior for their ecotourism and other activities. There is much more that needs to be done in the city,” he concluded.
Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Ministry of Public Works for their swift action in organising rebuilding of the bridge.
“I wish to express sincere thanks to the minister and the ministry, so that we are able to do much more work in the city through collaboration, and we can move forward with the development of the city for the benefit of its people,” the Chief Citizen said.

ORGIGINAL BRIDGE
The original bridge which was made of wood, had collapsed on September 11, 2020, after a container truck reportedly had reversed on it, causing it to be severely damaged and eventually resulting in its closure. Councillor for Constituency 10 (Albouystown/Charlestown), Heston Bostwick, had reported the matter to the City Council, which, in turn, contacted the ministry for help.

The minister was quick to point out that although its repair was the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council, the PPP/C government through the Ministry of Public Works stepped in to ensure that the bridge was rebuilt.

Also present at the commissioning were Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore, Councillor Bostwick, staff of the Ministry of Public Works, the contractor who undertook the project, members of the media and residents in the area.

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