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Farmers decry losses over deplorable Parika Backdam road

Jan 09, 2014 News

Once again, residents are furious over the deplorable condition of the Parika Backdam Access Road, which has been a major hindrance for farmers trying to make ends meet.
They have been losing thousands of dollars worth in produce, which would constantly fall from the vehicles struggling to negotiate the potholes on the road.
Many are also peeved that transportation operators are refusing to take them to their homes because of the  poor condition of the road, especially in the case where schoolchildren are stranded for hours waiting to go home.
Residents complained about their vehicles being destroyed, causing them to be constantly buying new parts.
One resident, Mr. Doodnauth told Kaieteur News that the Region Three administration has been neglecting the road which serves as the main access to three communities – Naamryck, Parika and Ruby backdams. These communities are home to more than 1000 residents.
According to the Region’s Alliance for Change (AFC) Councilor, Harry Narine Deokinanan, he raised the issue with those present at a recent statutory meeting, but was told by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)’s representative that residents were comfortable with the condition of the roads.
“That is a lie! Who can be comfortable with the condition of such a road? I even went back there to show the people the minutes of the meeting, and they said that it was a lie,” Deokinanan said.
He told Kaieteur News that prior to the statutory meeting, he sought the assistance of Regional Chairman Julius Faeber, but was told that the administration does not have the money to purchase a grader with the needed crusher-run.
The Ministry of Agriculture has always been fully aware of the farmers’ plight, but shabby works continue to further annoy residents.
In 2011, residents were forced to voice their grievances via a protest. Some amount of works was carried out, but just one year after its construction, the Parika Backdam Access Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) was once again in an appalling state.
Some works were carried out in July 2013, but the residents’ struggles with the road continue. The multi-million dollar two-mile road was constructed around February-March 2010. Even then, according to residents, the road did not meet their satisfaction since the contractor was said to have utilized substandard materials.
“Even tar dem na bin put,” one resident had stressed.
It was explained then that only crusher run, sand and loam were administered in the process, causing the road to continuously deteriorate.
Since mainly heavily laden vehicles carrying loads of produce in and out of the Backdam mainly traverse the road, it is essential that the road gets a permanent fixture.
“It’s thousands of pounds of vegetables and fruits in there that have to be accessed to be taken to markets such as Leonora, Parika and Bourda,” Deokinanan said.
Kaieteur News was unable to get a comment from the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, but according to an official at the Ministry, works will commence on the road “soon”.
Residents are hoping that the planned works would be carried out in a proper manner this time around.

 

 

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