We remain committed to building durable infrastructure countrywide

Nov 04, 2018 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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On Thursday October 25th, President Granger, several Members of Parliament, Regional representatives and Mayors travelled to Mahdia in Region 8 to join citizens living and working in that interior region in the inauguration of Mahdia as Guyana’s 10th township. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson took the opportunity to commission a recently completed section of roadway, part of the $827M Internal Roads Development project.
In his remarks, he gave a synopsis of the project and its many benefits for residents and commuters, then he pointed out that the project solidifies Government’s commitment to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure, especially our road networks, and maintain it at a high standard that surpasses routine rehabilitation and maintenance.
“Durable roads not only to keep production, sales, transportation and exportation alive and well, they also play a role in the safety of our citizens and the efficiency of business,” Minister Patterson stated.
He spoke about the recent rehabilitation of several community and main bridges that have been earmarked for rehabilitation under the project; the installation of reinforced rigid concrete pavements with curbs; and the reinforcement of drains and culverts with concrete. These have been complemented with the very necessary road safety element, e.g. up-to-date road markings, road signs and street names, all done in/with durable materials.
In Mahdia, the environment and residents’ living conditions will soon be further enhanced when 15 solar-powered street lamps are installed.
The rehabilitated Mahdia road is a land link to the Kaieteur Falls which is also located in Region 8. The Kaieteur Falls is Guyana’s Calling Card for tourists from around the globe, and it is billed as the world’s highest single-drop waterfall. The Mahdia Road is also a conduit to the wealthy gold and diamond mining districts, to forestry concessions, and to several Indigenous communities including Chenapou village located closest to the Kaieteur.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s primary objective is to improve overland connections between and among hinterland communities in order to drive economic and social growth.
Minister Patterson said, “Residents of Region 8 will also be delighted to know that the Hinterland Electrification Company Inc. has been allocated a sum of US$14,488,927 for Solar Farms for various communities including Mahdia. We have chosen to focus our investments on solar and wind energy technologies because that will significantly reduce overall energy costs. Businesses will be able to lower production costs and at the same time, increase their income. In the short term, the result will benefit families, communities and the country on the whole.
“It is for these reasons that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure recently launched the “Let’s make it happen” campaign. Our aim is to implement renewable energy as a long-term solution for our economic and social development.”
Minister Patterson also announced additional enhancement projects for Region 8 due to begin in 2019. These include:
 Rehabilitation of the road from Karasabi – Paramakatoi
 Rehabilitation of the road from Hillfoot to the airport (Phase I)
 Rehabilitation of the road from Hillfoot to the new housing scheme (Phase II)
 Upgrading the Mahdia – Pamela Landing corridor in conjunction with the Ministry of Business
The latter is integral to the Ministry of Business’ plan to construct an overland route to Kaieteur.
A Public Infrastructure Ministry representative recently attended the North Pakaraimas District Council meeting held in Chenapou where the Toshaos and regional officials discussed development plans for 22 Indigenous villages. The notes indicate that:-
 Works on the Bartica – Potaro corridor are ongoing
 The road from Mahdia to Denham bridge is nearing completion
 Contracts were awarded for a structural analysis of both the Denham and Cassandra bridges
 The sand road at the Bartica end has been widened and resurfaced with laterite from Alsopp point to Cassandra bridge
 The bridges will be retrofitted with concrete
The Minister said, “Like any project of this magnitude, this one was not without its challenges which affected the timely delivery of the project. My Ministry is today very proud to hand over this road to the township of Mahdia. We urge residents and commuters to use the road responsibly and to maintain the cleanliness of the drains”.
The Minister acknowledged the support of the two main contractors, JR Ranch Inc. and B & J Civil Works who overcame the numerous challenges that presented themselves at various stages of the project, and completed the works in a timely manner, and he named the Regional and Neighbourhood Councils, Toshaos, residents, and public transportation operators who remain involved in the project.
Mahdia is a small community in the Potaro-Siparuni region situated at an altitude of 415 metres (1,362 ft) in the predominantly forested highlands of Guyana. It is the home of and/or the operational base for many miners of gold and diamonds, loggers, truckers wholesalers and retailers of food, spare parts and dry goods.
They will be able to vote for their candidates in the upcoming Local Government Elections on November 12, people who they believe will keep uplifting their new town while they get their issues and concerns addressed, and developmental works completed.
Mahdia is now a township in inland regions, joining Bartica in Region 7, Lethem in Region 9, and Mabaruma in Region 1. It is now the Capital town of the Potaro-Siparuni Region, and is part of the broad vision of the Coalition government to establish a capital town in each of the 10 administrative regions.

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