Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Miners ‘losing big’ because of terrible Barama/Buck Hall Road

Jun 28, 2013 News

 
By Zena Henry
Scores of miners and truck owners have come out in verbal protest of the Barama/Buck Hall Road, which they say is not being maintained, despite large sums of money being paid.
Kaieteur News was told that road users pay some $29,000 for each trip in and out of the area, but instead of being maintained during the rainy season, it is closed.  On top of that, the drivers say they are being penalized for using an alternate road that was built as a result of the existing poor one.
Wayne Withers and Shanzaam Ali told Kaieteur News that on many occasions trucks are stalled and stuck in knee-high mud and slush, while packed with perishables for the interior. They continued that a lot of money has to be spent to remove the vehicles and to purchase the very expensive vehicle parts which are usually damaged.
They added too that for days, vehicles may be stuck on the road, taking away from work, and the earnings to be gained.  It was argued further that drivers are being suspended for the use of the other road which was constructed by the Barama Company. The suspension they however claimed, comes without warning as drivers were not informed that they were not authorized to use the road.
The Barama logging company has however explained that the roads in question were built specifically for mining purposes and that they are not obliged to keep up its maintenance. Mohindra Chand, the company’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Forest planning explained that it was not agreed that the company should maintain any roads for external users.
He stated that there is a main road which leads to a network of roadways. This road is about 80km, Chand said. Beyond that, the roads take different directions; leading to various logging sites. These various roads add up to some 2000km.
In essence he pointed out; the external road users are paying essentially for the 80km of proper road that is available. Chand went on to explain that when the company started logging in 2001, the roads were constructed in accordance to the area where logging was being done; he described it as the cyclic manner of logging.
When work is done in that particular area, Chand said the road is abandoned unless work resumes in the location, and this is what miners may be using to get to their various destinations. Apart from that, he charged that the roads, as a matter of legal obligation, are also designed to handle about 60 tons per truck, specifically coming out of the area, with a specified width also.
To the closing of the main road, Chand said to maintain its integrity and safety of its users, this must be done. He added that these are the factors contributing to mishaps in the area. He added that on many occasions when trucks are stuck on the road, it is most times the company which has to aid with their removable and excavation.
Chand reiterated that once the drivers pass the 80km of good road they are basically on their own, since the company does not have to ensure that it is in good condition for them to use. He instead advised that the miners devise ways in which they can maintain the integrity of the access roads they need to use.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

President’s College upstage Santa Rosa to advance into Quarters

President’s College upstage Santa Rosa to advance into Quarters

Apr 07, 2025

-PC, West Ruimveldt and Three Mile added to the cast Kaieteur News- Action returned to the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground in Georgetown as the Milo/Massy Under-18 Football Championship determined...
Read More
CWI withdraws penalty on John Campbell following Tribunal Review

CWI withdraws penalty on John Campbell following...

Apr 07, 2025

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest Basketball opens with local teams in mixed results

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest Basketball opens...

Apr 06, 2025

GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins 

GCA, East Coast surge to huge wins 

Apr 06, 2025

GFF/Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners Workshop to boost football operations in Guyana

GFF/Concacaf kick off two-day Match Commissioners...

Apr 06, 2025

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move closer to 2025 title

Chase’s Academic outclass Bartica to move...

Apr 06, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]