– Minister Indar underscores accountability in infrastructure projects

WHILE prioritising the improvement of community infrastructure, the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) Government is also strict in monitoring contractors to ensure projects are completed on time.

In addressing the late completion of the Yarrow Dam road project in Ruimveldt Georgetown, the Minister within the Ministry of Infrastructure, Deodat Indar, explained to the Guyana Chronicle that President Ali and his government are working diligently to ensure that they improve the lives of all Guyanese and their communities.

He noted that while the government is understanding of some situations that contractors may encounter, it will not tolerate any frivolous claims or any lackadaisical attitude regarding the completion of any infrastructure.

Minister Indar said, “There was a delay with the contractor claiming that he wasn’t getting the supply of concrete, and the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, asked that I go and see what was the hold-up with the roads. When I got there, I had a stern conversation with one of the contractors, and I told him that his contract would be terminated if the roads were not completed soon. However, he managed to get the concrete after a couple of visits that I made to the area. I am now pleased to say that the roads for Yarrow Dam are finally complete. Around 3:00 a.m. this morning, the contractors poured and levelled the final batch of concrete along the new roadway.”

He further stated that while he was “on the ground” on Friday last, he also met and spoke with the concrete supplier, and he explained the importance of the contractors getting their concrete on time so that they can finish the work.

The minister further related that they are currently working to improve the conditions of the roads in the community of Non Pariel on the East Coast of Demerara.

“Now that the roads are finally completed in Yarrow Dam, I am happy to say that we have started preparatory work on four of the major roads in Non Pariel, and in the new week we will be paving those.”

While communities such as Melanie, Enterprise, Foulis, and recently Yarrow Dam, among others, have benefitted from the road enhancement projects, Minister Indar asks that the residents of the other communities be patient since every road cannot be fixed at once.

Additionally, the minister noted several comments on social media about the width of the roads. However, he said that consideration has to be given to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) lines and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) electrical poles.

“In existing communities, there is only so much space from one drain to the next in which you can build the roads and accommodate utilities. Meaning, with the water main on one side and the electricity poles on the other side, everyone wants two cars to pass, but what do we do? Remove the electricity poles and cut the power, or remove the water mains on the other side and cut the water?” he questioned.

He continued, “the reality of these communities is that the access ways are very narrow, and all that we are doing is making over the dilapidated roads with either concrete or asphalt. We are giving you all proper, drivable roads, but realistically we cannot make them wider; however, where they can become wider, we are making them wider.”

Finally, Minister Indar also clarified why the drains in the communities are not concrete. According to him, people are also questioning why the drains are not concrete, but what they need to understand first is that the government has to make sure that priorities are met first.

“You cannot want us to concrete the roads and the drains in one community right away and leave the roads in another community. We are trying to ensure that every community gets better roads, as well as the roads that lead to schools, hospitals, and all other institutions. We have to first pave the roads, and then we will deal with concrete drainage. Everything cannot be done perfectly at once, and that is what some people expect of us, but it doesn’t work like that. So, I am hoping that Guyanese can understand this. The roadways are not broad; that is why they are called community roads and not highways,” said Minister Indar.