Multi-million$$$ market tarmacs to finally be utilized

Jan 05, 2012 News

-$72M contracts signed for two more

A number of market tarmacs which were built under the last Administration are currently underused or not serving their original purpose.
However, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has promised to ensure that vendors utilize these tarmacs during this year. This assurance was given by Minister of Local Government, Ganga Persaud, yesterday during the inking of two multi-year contracts worth $72,062,810, to build two additional tarmacs in Region One.
When asked about other tarmacs which are presently not being used

The Diamond market tarmac which was intended to be used by vendors but now serves as a cricket pitch and temporary barn for animals.

for the purpose intended, Minister Persaud stated that some of these tarmacs are at varying stages of preparation, particularly those that are described as market tarmacs.
“The Ministry has responded positively with requests coming from the vending community to allow them to remain in their present location(s) for the festive season. Now that that has passed, the Ministry is committed towards directing its focus so that optimum, maximum use can be made of the tarmacs which were constructed. I must admit we were a little bit slow in 2011 in addressing occupancy of these tarmacs.”
Minister Persaud explained that recently there was a serious shifting of land at the Waterfront of Kumaka in Mabaruma, Region One, and has resulted in serious damage and inconvenience to the vending and shopping areas around the Kumaka Waterfront.
Contact was made with a private land owner, Mr. Broomes, who consented to allow Government to use a portion of his land to construct the tarmac.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, stated that the other tarmac is to be established in Santa Rosa, Moruca, Region One, and is expected to see over 13,000 residents of Moruca benefitting.
He explained that the increase in the expenditure on infrastructural works, more specifically on roads in the Moruca sub-region, has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of vehicles primarily pick-ups and mini-buses that ply the various satellite communities and villages across the region.
It was further stated that the entire sub region has decided that there is a need for parking facilities due to the increasing number of vehicles.
The site for the tarmac to be constructed is in an area where the people do a lot of vending; farmers go to sell their produce. This is the reason that it was determined that part of this tarmac would be utilized by farmers and vendors to sell their produce.
Permanent Secretary, Colin Croal, stated that the $37,116,160 contract for the construction of a tarmac at Mabaruma, Region One, was awarded to Joshi Construction and Transportation Establishment of De Willem, West Coast Demerara.
The duration of this contract is 16 weeks.
He also said that the other contract valued at $34,946,650 for the construction of the tarmac at Kumaka/Moruca was awarded to Sattaur Mohamed and Son Construction and Hardware Supplies of West Reliance Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast.
The duration of this contract is also 16 weeks.
Meanwhile, almost two years have passed since the $24.5M market tarmac, was built at the Diamond/Grove New Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and is yet to be utilized.
The aim of this initiative was to alleviate the burden of vendors who were literally “fighting” for vending space and to eliminate the threat that they posed to the free and safe flow of traffic on the roadways.
It was reported that the long-awaited tarmac was being utilized by young men as a recreational spot, for cricket and other sporting activities, while stray cows were often found grazing and sleeping there.
The situation is still the same with the number of cricket players and cows increasing.
Other tarmacs underused are at Buxton, East Coast Demerara and Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, among others.