Joel Jackson
October 11 2019
Leaders of hinterland communities are frustrated with the “substandard” works and repairs that are being done by contractors on transport infrastructure and they also heard that pensioners will be able to travel for free on state vessels from November 1st.
Various village leaders voiced their concerns yesterday to the Minister of Public infrastructure, David Patterson at the 13th National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference, which is currently being hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
During the Q&A session, many village leaders took the opportunity to thank the minister for his “speedy” responses to their issues. They also thanked him for the roads and bridges that were recently constructed. However, a representative of the Mabaruma Section, Randolph Daniels complained that contractors that are awarded road or bridges contracts are refusing to listen to village leaders when they try to suggest what materials should be used. Another representative said the contractors are doing sloppy works and there is an urgent need for improvement. He requested that contracts be awarded to villagers.
In response, Patterson said, he support the suggestion “wholeheartedly” that contracts be awarded to persons in the villages because it takes time to mobilize contractors and send them to various locations. He said that he will investigate the incidents where the contractors are refusing to cooperate with the village leaders. “They should be cooperating with the toshaos because you (the toshaos) have control over your land,” he said.
Responding to another issue raised by a Region Two village leader, who said that contractors are refusing to compensate the village councils for the materials they use from the area, Patterson said before sending the contractors to various locations, especially in the hinterland area, they tell them that they are not working with the Ministry and advise them not to disrespect the village councils. He said that they also make it clear that the contractors need to pay the villagers for the materials.
Vitalis Alfred, who is the Toshao of Awarewanau Village in Region Nine agreed with the point made by various leaders about the contractors disrespecting village councils. Alfred raised the issue of the Rupununi bridge, located near the Katoonarib area. He said that passenger-filled vehicles usually get stranded for days when the Rupununi River crests. He said that he does not know how that issue can be rectified but hopes that they find a way. He also asked the Minister to “look into” the western Aishalton-Lethem route, which passes through Karaudarnau village, where the second Rupununi Bridge is located.
Interviews conducted by this newspaper revealed that the most of the village leaders agreed that contracts should be awarded to the villagers. The Toshao of Micobie, Region Eight, Cleveland Henry said, “contracts are being awarded to contractors that are not delivering and are only doing sub-standard work. There are some bridges that were supposed to be built since January but up to now it is not done,” he said. Further, he said, when or if they come to work on the bridges, they will probably use the type of materials that are not recommended for the construction of transport infrastructure. Henry said he has repeatedly tried to monitor the works being done but they do not allow him.
Joel Jackson, the Toshao of Yakarinta, Region Nine said that leaders in his area have encountered similar problem with the contractors. However, with road works commencing soon in the area, they have had discussions with the contractors about the past issues. “We don’t want that so now we will attempt to monitor the work”.
Patterson during his presentation said that the ferries, despite the fact they are decades old, are functional and operational. “These vessels are quite old and provide challenges now and then to keep them operational,” he said, before pointing out that his ministry is engaging the Government of India to procure modern vessels. The contracts, he said, have not been signed as yet. However, he said, within the next 18 months, at least one vessel will be replaced. In addition, he said, “if given the chance,” within the next five years all the decades-old vessels will be replaced.
With the government being in caretaker mode pending general elections, it is unclear whether these projects will proceed.
Addressing an issue that was raised at the reception he hosted on Wednesday night, as it relates to pensioners being charged for their cargoes on sea vessels and aircraft, Patterson said he will ensure that pensioners will not only be able to travel for free but they would also be able to carry 25 kilogrammes of cargo on vessels free of charge beginning from November 1st.
Further, he said, the ministry has dispatched engineers and other personnel to do an assessment on the roads, bridges and airstrips around the country and they will select the ones that are in need of urgent repairs and include these in the budget. A budget for 2020 will not be prepared until after general elections on March 2nd.
Patterson urged the village leaders to be patient as their issues regarding infrastructure will be remedied in due time. Projects that are already in the 2020 budget, Patterson said, are the rehabilitation of the Fairview, Paruima, Kurupukari, Orinduik and Achiwuib airstrips. In addition, he said, the Guyana Energy Agency has been given $25 million for the purchase of solar lighting and chargers that will be installed at the airstrips mentioned.
Patterson also said that at the end of this month, the Ministry will attend the second annual convention of the international solar line and will be submitting a request for funding in order to purchase 600 solar panels.