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Sloppy road works done in Parika Backdam road
-residents complain about huge potholes and substandard materials
Just one year after its construction, the Parika Backdam Access Road, East Bank
The Parika Backdam access road which is now in a deplorable state and causing inconvenience to residents in the area.
Essequibo (EBE) is now in a deplorable state.
The multi-million dollar road was built around February-March last year.
However, the finished product did not meet the satisfaction of residents since the contractor was said to have utilized substandard materials.
Alliance for Change (AFC) Region Three Councilor, Harry Narine Deokinanan, told Kaieteur News that millions of dollars were spent to construct the two-mile road, yet tar was never applied.
Only crusher run, sand and loam were administered in the process, he said, adding that the road continues to deteriorate following the recent consistent rainfall.
And the heavy laden vehicles carrying loads in and out of the Backdam do no justice to the situation.
“It’s thousands of pounds of vegetables and fruits in there that have to be accessed to be taken to markets such as the Leonora, Parika and Bourda ones. The road was never built properly and the materials used were substandard. Now, there are potholes that are getting bigger and vehicles start to fasten and are getting stuck in there. Some cars even get damaged while using this road and people have to repair or buy parts,” said Deokinanan.
According to the man, he discussed the issue with the Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber, who stated that at present, there is a lot of rainfall which is preventing any works from being carried out on the said road.
“This road has been bad since like six months ago. It isn’t only now that the road in a bad shape, so whether or not the rain affecting now, the work should have been done sometime within the last six months. The farmers in the area continue to struggle to go in and come out of there,” added Deokinanan.
Other residents explained that the farmers are not the only persons suffering from the state of the road.
Residents, taxi drivers and students, who attend the school (s) in the area, have to endure this inconvenience.
“School children find it hard to go to school. The road bad and muddy and when it rains, the holes are full with water and these are big, big holes. The children don’t get transportation out of there easy, since few vehicles want to work through that road. They come home like 6(PM) or 6:30(PM), so late because vehicles refuse to go in there. And these are Primary School children. A lot of hire cars suffer damages when they fall in the holes and such. It isn’t easy,” said one woman.
Kaieteur News understands that over 600 residents live in the affected area and the majority of these families depend on farming as their main source of income. They are hoping that repairs are conducted in an expedited manner before more damage is done.
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