-Minister Edghill says

IN accordance with the government’s development strategy, the Ministry of Public Works continues to work assiduously to ensure that the infrastructural development is completed at little to no inconvenience to the people living in each of the country’s 10 administrative regions.

The subject minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, recently told the Guyana Chronicle that both his ministry and the Government of Guyana continue to make a concerted effort to improve and enhance the lives of its people.

During his visit to Nabacalis, on the East Coast of Demerara, on Monday afternoon, Minister Edghill engaged residents and was able to resolve some of their issues with the ongoing $28.6 million road project.

In expressing to the locals his understanding of the inconvenience they are experiencing as a result of the delay by the contractor, Romel Jagroop General Construction, Minister Edghill pointed out that the project was originally scheduled to be finished in three months.

After emphasising that “the government is not doing you a favour; building your roads is our responsibility,”  he said: “The project was delayed after a mix-up with the scope of work which saw the contractor placing material beyond his contractual boundary, and he subsequently tried to remove the material at the disapproval of residents.”

In conveying his regret to the residents for the delayed completion of the project, the Minister also assured them that his team would follow the correct procedures and he used the opportunity to encourage them to stay connected with the NDC.

Minister Edghill further explained to the Guyana Chronicle that his government is committed to delivering on every promise that was made in their manifesto to the people of Guyana.

Noting that their aim is to ensure that every region benefits from the development projects across the country, Minister Edghill said, “Since President Ali and the People’s Progressive Party regained office in 2020, every region across Guyana, from Region One to region 10, has significantly benefited from infrastructure development, and that trend has continued.”

He continued, “We are not only developing a specific area or region; we are developing all of Guyana, regardless of race, colour, or religion. While we are building highways, which will open up Guyana and create opportunities for all in tourism, business, etc. We are also making sure that the communities are developed. We are making sure that everyone can walk or drive on a paved road whether it rains or not, and the best part of all of this is that employment is created for our people, our Guyanese people. How can we not appreciate that?”

Additionally, Minister Edghill explained that while they hold contractors accountable for not finishing their work by the allotted date, he is also considerate of the weather and other issues that may be out of their control.

“We are happy that these projects, especially the community ones, are done by the contractors of the communities, but we are very serious about the completion of the projects in a timely manner. Yes, we have to consider the weather or other factors that may cause delays, but the government is not going to sit back and take the blame for any contractor’s shortcomings. We believe in transparency, and we will highlight the reason(s) for any incomplete projects,” Edghill explained.

Furthermore, he said that while it is the goal of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government to ensure that the life of every citizen is fulfilled, he also noted that it cannot happen “all at once or overnight.”

He later said: “Looking at where Guyana used to be and where it is now, there is no doubt that you have a government that is working for the people. Of course, everything cannot happen overnight, and we need to understand that. Take a moment, look around, and ask yourself if you have ever witnessed this magnitude of development at such a rapid pace in your life before.”