Canal No. 2 ‘mud road’ washing away

Feb 26, 2014 News

– “Fed up” residents blast careless contractors

Three entities have been contracted to repair the Canal No. 2, West Bank Demerara ‘mud road,’ and after several weeks of delays, residents complain that a lot of the work being done is sloppy.

The wet mud is usually lodged on the slope, causing the Canal No. 2 ‘mud road’ to easily break away.

According to one resident, Matilda McDonald, “The work dey doing ain’t seem to be benefitting the community, and dah is de purpose fuh dem repairs. It supposed to be done in the best interest of the residents, but dem ain’t doing duh”.
The woman told Kaieteur News that repairs have been ongoing for a few months now, and the contractors have been inconsistent with their work.
“When dey feel like wukkin’ dey does wuk, and leh me tell yuh, is fuh weeks these workers don’t come. But dah is not de biggest problem with this thing.”
Mrs. McDonald pointed out that a contractor has graded the mud from the dam, leaving it alongside the walkway, causing the mud, which was supposed to be utilised in the rehabilitation of the road, to wash away into the canal. The mud dam runs parallel to the Canal No. 2 access road. It is separated by the village’s main waterway.
“The mud now lef’ on the slope, and it breaking away the actual dam, suh if this continue, the wet and heavy mud gon break away the slope and eventually break away the mud road itself, because is nah concrete it mek wid,” McDonald stressed.
She explained that oftentimes, sloppy work is being executed throughout the community, and many contractors usually fail to deliver on projects.
“These people does hardly ever do the work properly… and they continue to get payments. This ain’t right, and the regional office, like nobody there ain’t give a damn.”
The woman pointed out that millions of dollars are being spent repeatedly, to do rehabilitation in Canal No. 2, but these projects, she said, are hardly ever done to the satisfaction of residents.
Similarly, residents of Canal No. 1, West Bank Demerara, recently complained of sloppy work executed by contractors in their community.
Like Canal No. 2, the Canal No. 1 mud road is also being repaired. Work which started six months ago, is yet to be completed.
According to those living in the latter community, the slothful pace at which the dam is being rehabilitated has been of a significant inconvenience to residents, especially given the fact that persons are awaiting the completion of the project, to execute some of their business plans.
One man told this newspaper that he wants to construct a roadside stall, but is unable to do so, as a result of the “stalled” project.
Whenever it rains, the mud roads are very slippery and in some cases impassable for commuters and pedestrians.
Kaieteur News understands that students of all ages are sometimes forced to wrap their shoes with plastic bags, so as to walk onto the main road without getting them wet and muddy.
The state of both the Canal No. 1 and Canal No.2 roads have been affecting farmers who utilize the route as a less hectic one to transport their produce.
“It messy and is an inconvenience, but awe gah fuh lef it so, because yuh nah even see the contractors dem to complain to,” a Canal No. 1 resident said.
“Dem nah use it (mud), so the people who need it does thief it and use it. That better than leaving it to wash away,” a woman named “Nali” told this newspaper.
She explained that weeks have passed and contractors have not been seen.
“Like we ain’t even know if it is that dey ditch the wuk or what,” she added.
Meanwhile, in speaking with Kaieteur News, Alliance For Change Councillor (AFC) of Region Three, Harry Deokinanan stated that subpar works continue to be a feature of his district, and that more often than not, projects are being delayed.
It was explained that the mud roads are being repaired using quarry materials, as a means of alleviating the woes of residents, especially farmers, of the two communities. However, residents told this newspaper that they are “fed up,” and are no longer prepared to tolerate consistently slapdash works. Some residents are even planning to mount a protest.