The Government is encouraging large contractors, who are awarded contracts for infrastructure works in the respective regions, to employ local labourers, so as to create employment within communities.

“We are trying to ensure that when contracts are awarded to communities that the communities benefit from the contracts, because construction is one way in which an economy is driven…” Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said when he announced several major infrastructure works for Regions Two, Four and Seven.

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon.

Minister Harmon said Government is also working to ensure contractors within the respective regions get some of the contracts, “So the extent to which these other contractors from the regions qualify, we are basically encouraging that development.”

During a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Thursday, Minister Harmon announced that Cabinet has given its ‘no objection’ for the rehabilitation and construction of major roads in Region Two, including Morris Street, Good Hope, Essequibo to the tune of $22.1M; Eastern Last Street, Charity, New Housing Scheme, $18.2 M and for the construction of groynes at Cullen on the Essequibo Coast, $23.6M.

Minister Harmon explained that these roads were the subject of serious complaints during a ministerial outreach to the region earlier in the year, and once completed, will bring major relief to the residents of those communities.

The Kuru Kururu main road in Region Four will be constructed to the tune of $67.3M. The completion of this road will benefit approximately 12,000 residents, who have long been asking for it. It will also facilitate the expansion of the community that has resulted in new homes being constructed aback of Kuru Kururu.

Cabinet has also given its no objection for the rehabilitation of, and construction of the ‘D’ Field Sophia main access road for the sum of $76.8M, and the rehabilitation and construction of Pattensen Road network for the sum of $75.8M. These two areas have also been the subject of protest and the construction of these roads will enable the residents of these areas to enjoy the benefits to which they are entitled as citizens of Georgetown. The Guyhoc main access road will also be constructed and rehabilitated to the tune of $22.8M.

For the maintenance of roads in Region Seven, the sum of $16.1M was approved for repairs to the Four Corners junction in Bartica. The Byderabo Backroad will also be maintained to the tune of $13.3M.

For the rehabilitation of sections of the Linden/Soesdyke highway, $37 M was approved for additional works.  (GINA)