THREE contracts to the value of $63,332,629 were awarded for the execution of key road works in Region Six on Monday.
The contracts, valued at $19,872,944; $23,151,500 and $20,308,185 were awarded to Premium Asphalt, Kascon Engineering Services, and T and R respectively.

The works entail the rehabilitation of America Street, Lesbeholden, and Black Bush Polder; the rehabilitation of Victoria Street, East Canje; and the rehabilitation of Port Mourant/Johns NDC Street.

The contracts were signed by the contractors in the presence of Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, along with regional officials.
Speaking to residents at Port Mourant, Minister Dharamlall stated that works are in keeping with the infrastructural development plan for Region Six that were held back due to the rains and subsequent flooding.

He explained that in this the first phase, focus will be placed on community roads, and that after the floods have receded fully, an assessment will be done to evaluate the damage, and more infrastructure works can be expected.
“When the floodwaters have totally receded, then we will do an assessment of the recovery that has to be done in Region Six, then we will start working on the priorities,” Minister Dharamlall said.

The minister also committed to having all community streets fixed, saying that the funding will come from Central Government, as was promised by the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) while on the campaign trail.

“I want to commit to you that we are going to build every road. As soon as the situation normalises, the engineers will come and do a full assessment, and then we will prioritise the development, moving forward,” Minister Dharamlll said. “In our manifesto, we have committed that all the roads we are doing will be of a higher grade; a higher quality. And we have also committed that we are going to do the heavy lifting,” he added.

Regional Chairman, David Armogan said the Capital Works Budget for the region, which is some $863M, is being rolled out, and will stimulate the region’s economy by providing employment for residents.

He reiterated that the contractors are being advised to employ most of their labour force from within the communities where the works are being executed, so that the residents not only benefit from the infrastructural development but economically as well.

Meanwhile, 400 cleaning hampers were distributed to households within the Port Mourant area on Monday afternoon. Residents had previously benefitted from food hampers.