Latest update March 7th, 2025 7:05 AM
Caribbean Development fund to invest in four roads
…expected to alleviate farmers’ transportation woes
The Caribbean Development Fund will be investing in the repairs/ construction of four roads.
This was announced by Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, during his Budget 2014 speech.
The roads include a 6.2km at Parika, which would cost roughly US$2M; the Ruby 6.7km road for $US2.3M; the 3.7km $US1.3M road at Onverwagt and the Laluni 15km thoroughfare at a cost of $US1M.
While the Laluni structure would be one suitable for fair weather, the other three would have the capacity to take on all kinds of local weather exposure.
This is what the Parika Backdam road usually looks like
This newspaper was told that the roads are being constructed as a means of alleviating the transportation woes of farmers.
Following a Kaieteur News article, which highlighted the inconveniences faced by the farmers of Parika, the Agriculture Ministry announced that the Parika Backdam road will be repaired this year.
Kaieteur News understands that so far, construction officials have already visited the site and took samples of the road.
Residents have been furious over the deplorable condition of particularly the Parika Backdam Access Road, which has been a major hindrance for dozens of farmers who are trying to make ends meet.
They have been losing thousands of dollars worth in produce, which would constantly fall from the vehicles that are struggling to maneuver from the potholes.
Many are also peeved that transportation operators are refusing to take them to their homes because of the road’s poor condition, 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 frequently buying new parts.
One resident, 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 persons.
According to the Region’s Alliance for Change (AFC) Councilor, Harry Deokinanan, he had raised the issue at a previous 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 road.
“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.
In 2011, residents were forced to voice their grievances via a demonstration. Some works were carried out, but just one year after its construction, the aforementioned Parika Backdam road was once again in an appalling state.
Works were carried out in July 2013, but the residents’ struggles with the road continue. The multi-million dollar two-mile road was built around February-March in 2010.
However, the finished product did not meet the satisfaction of residents since the contractor was said to have utilized substandard materials.
“Even tar dem na 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 heavy laden vehicles carrying loads of produce in and out of the Backdam traverse the road, it is essential that the road gets a permanent fix.
“It’s thousands of pounds of vegetables and fruits in there that have to be accessed to be taken to markets like Leonora, Parika and Bourda,” Deokinanan said.
As the Ministry embarks on the road projects, residents said that they are grateful, but would like for the works to be done properly, so that the structures would not deteriorate in a few months.
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