PUBLIC Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill has made it clear that contractors have until the end of January 2024 to complete all works on Cemetery Road and Conversation Tree.
During his end-of-year press conference, Minister Edghill said that the deadline for expanding Cemetery Road from two lanes to four lanes has passed, and the construction should have been completed this year.

He added that this project and the Conversation Tree works are of great concern to him and his ministry.

“Cemetery Road and Conversation Tree road are two that are of the greatest interest to us; what should have been completed for 2023 is significantly behind time, and that is of concern to us,” he related.

He further stated that the contractors have received a revised deadline of January 2024 to complete those roads. “If January month ends and these projects are not completed, then the contractor will be removed from the projects, and we will get a proper and dedicated contractor to complete them, or the Special Projects Unit. Cemetery Road is too much of an important road for us to have this going like that; and it is not one of our proudest moments of 2023 at all,” Minister Edghill said.

While expressing his dissatisfaction with the pace of works on the thoroughfares, Minister Edghill added that Lot One of the Conversation Tree road is progressing satisfactorily.
However, he said that significant delays are being experienced at Lot Two, and the contractor who is executing those works has also been given a revised deadline.

According to the public works minister, “if Lot Two is not completed as well, the contractor will be removed from the project and we will complete it.”

Further, Minister Edghill pointed out that they had done 5.48 kilometres of asphalt roads in Canals One and Two, and in Black Bush Polder they would have completed an additional 3.047 kilometres of asphalt roads.

Meanwhile, he stated that several miscellaneous roads were built throughout Guyana, so that the people could live with their families in a better environment.

“In terms of our miscellaneous and urban roads, we have done 349.3 kilometres; 798 were rigid pavement, and 483 were flexible pavement. In terms of urban roads, we have done 9.9 kilometres; 58 of those were rigid pavement and eight were flexible pavement. A total of 359.2 kilometres; 854 rigid pavement, and 491 flexible pavement roads.”

SPECIAL PROJECTS UNIT
Additionally, Minister Edghill said that the Special Projects Unit has performed “exceptionally well” in 2023, and according to him, the money that they are seeking will ensure that they can have several teams that are operating simultaneously, which would allow for more work to be done in 2024.

“The Special Projects Unit would have done a total of 108 roads, and they have done work in Queenstown, Alberttown, Campbeville, Foulis, Enterprise, Melanie South, Non Pariel, and Coldingen,” he noted.

Finally, Edghill added that he is pleased to say that because of the rigorous approach and the volume of work that they have been doing, there were no major breaches in 2023.

Minister Edghill said: “In terms of new flood protection structures, 5.5 kilometres of work was done. With rehabilitation and maintenance, we have built 65 kilometres of sea defence. We commend the sea and river defences and their department for the great work that they are doing.”