Work being fast-tracked on Monkey Mt. road – Minister Benn conducts inspection

Those desirous of visiting Monkey Mountain in Region Eight have to travel by either All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) or airplane, and in an effort to increase accessibility, and allow for easier movement by the villagers, the Government has invested in a road project that leads into the community.

During the last weekend, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsawack, engineers and other members of the Regional Democratic Council inspected the work that has been done on the road thus far.

Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn walking along a section of the road

Minister Benn noted that the team visited the road’s end at Kato then travelled to the other end, from Monkey Mountain, via ATV.  It is anticipated that with the completion of the road, the length of time to get to the village will be reduced significantly.

The Minister indicated that the road is laid out up to Rukumoto and is mostly completed up to Tipuru. Work is restarting with respect to sections of the road.

He acknowledged that residents have complained that the children who have to walk several miles to and from school were being affected where the laterite for the road was being prepared, particularly since the rainy season has started.  In this regard, work is being fast-tracked to complete the road.

A section of the road where a small river divides it

Meanwhile, going southwards to Karasabai, and beyond to Lethem, in Region Nine, the finished road is in excellent condition and mini buses are now travelling  to the former.

Minister Benn indicated that while there are some engineering difficulties, the area is extremely mountainous and has lots of rivulets and gullies; as such the work crew will have to adapt certain engineering solutions for the parts of the road going up into the mountains.