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PNCR concerned about road deterioration countrywide

Jan 28, 2011 News

Failure on the part of Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, and his team to follow certain basic road design procedures was cited yesterday as the primary reason for the deteriorating state of several roads across the country.
This was the assertion of People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Shadow Minister of Works, Ernest Elliot, when the budget debate continued yesterday.
He told the house that the density of materials, once laid, should be tested by an independent testing organisation when road construction is being undertaken.
Elliot is of the firm belief that roads are not long-lasting because they are not constructed in accordance with the American Association of Transportation and Highway Official Standards which states that sub-grades should be inspected and approved before sub-base and base are laid.
According to Elliot, if the Minister of Public Works and his team would simply follow stipulated guidelines, “surely we would have long lasting roads.”
The member of the main opposition also revealed that it was following concerns that were raised that the Public Works Minister had streamlined an engineering conference in 2009. Some 30 technical papers were to be presented at that forum and attendees should have included various persons from the engineering community such as contractors and practicing engineers.
The conference was expected to help in the execution of the roads programme, Elliot said, adding that some of the topics were: improving double bitumen surface treatment application, strategies to manage loss escalation and the road construction industry in Guyana, and process management for road maintenance.
“Mr Speaker, let the Minister tell us if there has been improvement by the engineers and contractors in the execution of their duty in 2010 and if an evaluation was done on their performance and to weed out those who failed to meet the said criteria.”
Elliot stressed that while the Ministry embarked on a number of roads throughout the country, it is evident that for many contractors the conference did not bear any fruit for there continues to be sub-standard work.
Elliot cited a number of areas, including Sophia, Melanie, Diamond, Enmore, Paradise and other communities, where deplorable roads can be found.
“Residents are complaining bitterly about the sub-standard works carried out by contractors who just don’t have a clue about road construction…there are roads built without shoulders and I can go on and on.”
Elliot explained that since a road is designed for standard loads, vehicles above that load should not be allowed to utilise such roads.
And should vehicles exceeding the recommended load traverse these roads it could trigger a process of degeneration that is not reversible coupled with the substandard works, thus it is only a matter of time before the roads are destroyed.
“If we have to safeguard our investment on roads there must be proper oversight, careful prequalification of suitable contractors with the standard road building equipment and government must invest in a constructive oversight control programme.”
According to Elliot, in the estimates for 2006 the sum of $60M was budgeted and in 2007, a further $5M was allotted for weight management but not a dollar was spent, a state of affairs which causes the deteriorating road conditions to persist.

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