PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that assessments on several community roads in Supply, Mahaica will be carried out by engineers from the Ministry of Public Works over the next few days.

A community meeting was held on Wednesday afternoon, which was attended by a delegation of support staff from various ministries, led by the Head of State.

During the meeting, residents highlighted several major issues. Among the direst concerns raised was the need for improved drainage and irrigation and the completion of several community roads.

Currently, there is an ongoing rehabilitation process for over 30 roads in the community.

According to an engineer attached to the Ministry of Public Works, several of those roads have already been completed.

Despite concerns raised by certain residents regarding incomplete works, the engineer provided reassurance that the ongoing construction is still in progress. Furthermore, although some contractors have experienced delays, none have exceeded the specified timeframes outlined in their individual contracts.

Concurrently, members of the farming community have emphasised the requirement for the restoration of a crucial road facilitating transportation of agricultural goods.

According to a farmer, the provision of better infrastructure would allow for the utilisation of additional farm lands.

“The roads that are under constructions and are incomplete, I am going to send a team out to do an assessment and then we will have to deal with the engineers…once the contract time is up and the road is not completed the engineers will have to give explanation and the contractors and people will have to face the full consequences.”

“The all-weather road that would lead to the 2,000 acres of land, what we will do, before the end of the week is an assessment and make a decision as to the best intervention we can take to make some improvements to that road so the farmers can benefit,” President Ali said while responding to the residents.

Before the weekend, it is anticipated that the officials will provide updates from the assessment to the Head of State.

Meanwhile, residents complained about the need for extensive drainage maintenance in the community.

A woman expressed her observation that despite attempts to clear and desilt the drains, she believes the task is not being carried out effectively.

“They just scoping it up; they not digging it out…and when we get rain, it floods,” the woman lamented.

A representative from the Neigbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) also shared similar sentiments. She suggested that better monitoring of drainage works is needed.

“Every month we receive a complaint,” she said.

In pursuit of this objective, the President highlighted the provision of a mini-excavator to the community. Additionally, a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority will be assigned to supervise the implementation of drainage improvement measures in the community.

In the interim, procurement notices will be released for the restoration of significant kokers within the community.

At the same time, an educator from the Sir James Douglas Primary School in the community shared that the institution is encountering issues with its water supply.

The teacher stated that water supply was exclusively being pumped to the lower flat of the building. Officials from the Guyana Water Incorporated, who were present at the community meeting with the President, immediately took action to address this matter.

Furthermore, she brought attention to the requirement for a play area, and the president has made a commitment to overseeing the restoration of the school’s tarmac and the creation of basketball and tennis courts.

Without delay, a community committee was formed, with leadership provided by two residents. A subsequent meeting is scheduled for today to specifically address the remaining concerns raised by the residents.