Latest update November 7th, 2024 1:00 AM
Latest News
- Govt. hails US$1.5B gold project by Canadian firm
- Exxon says they are finalising area of Stabroek Block to hand back to govt.
- At least 38 people killed in dozens of Israeli strikes on eastern Lebanon
- Trump re-elected
- Citizens can no longer trust PPP, PNC to make decisions for a future with oil-Glenn Lall
Parika Backdam residents peeved at road damage by contractors
One of the many holes within the Parika Backdam area.
Residents of Parika Backdam are claiming that the contractors working in that area are destroying the roads more than they are building. They add that it appears as if the Government has forgotten that people exist beyond Boodhoo Scheme in Parika Backdam.
The two contractors working in the area are Roopan Ramotar Construction Company and Mahadeo Umraow of Eagle Transportation and General Construction.
Yesterday, only one taxi was willing to work in that area. The other vehicles were claiming that the roads are in such a horrible state that to maintain their vehicle would be burdensome because of the damage received from the journey.
Collectively, parents in the area agreed that in order for their children to reach to school they would have to walk a great distance to reach the road before being able to access transportation to school.
“We don’t have proper drinking water, electricity, or roads….In 2002 they run pipelines and up to now no water,” one man declared.
According to Suresh Singh, Parika Backdam has busloads of fruits and vegetable being transported to Bourda market on a daily basis, and the severely damaged roads are a major concern to the heavy farming community.
He explained that with tomatoes, papaw and other soft fruits and vegetables, there is a high degree of damage if they are not properly packed for transport to the market.
“If workmen got to get paid $2,000 a day to pick these stuff, and when you reach the market it don’t sell because they damaged from the roughing up from the road, how can we make a profit and survive?…The government is always fooling us and tell we they gon do something and years is pass and is the same thing we going through.”
Another issue was constant flooding and the drainage and irrigation of the Parika/Naamryck/Ruby Backdam area. “Whenever a Minister, or any official come here the chairman does try to clean up the place and put excavator on the side of the trench, to make it look like something is doing, but is all fraud.”
Residents also alluded to the fact that the previous chairman, Pastor Motie Singh, was an outstanding Chairman and residents had minimal problems, especially with the road.
“What some people outside consider to be a necessity, we consider it luxury in here,” one lady said.
According to Vice Chairman for the Parika NDC, Jaideo Sookhoo, being a resident of the area he is aware of the situation with the road.
However, the specific area does not fall under the NDC. He said that a council has to be elected in order for taxes to be collected and an evaluating system is being conducted for a system to be put in place.
He said that approximately 200 houses been evaluated to date, and since there is no funding from any council no rehabilitation can be done.
When asked about the severe destruction of the road by the two construction companies, Sookhoo said that the issue is being dealt with by the Ministry of Public Works, since none of the construction firms is willing to do the repairs.
According to the Region Three Chairman, Julius Faber, the Ministry of Public Works, together with engineers has been contacted in connection with the damage done on the Parika Backdam road, and a formal document will be written to the two contractors for the companies to do remedial works to the parts of the road that have been damaged.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
A broad-based movement for the people’s voice on oil
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- The call for a referendum on Guyana’s oil contract is a step in the right direction,... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
