Deplorable condition of roads at Plantation Herstelling, East Bank Demerara

Aug 16, 2019 Letters

DEAR MR. EDITOR,

As a resident of the new Housing Scheme, Plantation Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara, I would like to highlight the abandonment of the infrastructural development of this community, which was commissioned under the PPP/C government. I would not like to think that further development of this neighbourhood would have to await the return to government of the PPP/C.
Nonetheless, of major concern are the enormous potholes in the loam road, which residents have to traverse on a daily basis. This loam road was the basic structure from the inception that granted access to the plots of land given out to persons in 2012. The vehicle bottom would graze on rocks as they are manoeuvred over the ridge from one pool into the other. If persons don’t have vehicles, then they have to walk on the bushy areas of the edge of the road. It is so deplorable that delivery vehicles complained that furniture and equipment could be damaged before they reach the customers.
For residents with vehicles it is an enormous cost for continuous maintenance. And to purchase a ‘new vehicle’ is a colossal burden for the working class people who have already acquired mortgages to build their homes. And to this end I must state that when persons who sit in authority try to make laws they must think of the people that it would affect. Where are the roads for the new vehicles with new tyres to be driven on under this new law? And how long would new tyres last under such conditions?
Since the community was not handed over to the NDC, nothing can be done as yet. In February 2017, I wrote and humbly requested of Minister David Patterson to assist with the deplorable condition of the roads. Minister Patterson was respectful enough to respond that such works does not fall within his mandate but that of the Ministry of Communities and that he had forwarded my correspondence to the Minister of Communities. After a while passed, I wrote to Minister Bulkan and made reference to the above mentioned letter. To date, the residents of this community continue to suffer with this neglect. Just imagine the deterioration over the years forcing this public missive, again seeking remedy.
Also within the said community, a section of a road was recently graded and surfaced with asphalt and there is much speculation that a government official resides in that street but I would not want to believe that such things are occurring blatantly.
I wish to suggest that if the roads cannot be properly surfaced with asphalt at this time then at least it should be graded and levelled to remove the huge potholes and strengthened to withstand depreciation due to vehicular traffic and the inclement weather until such time that it can be properly done.
Thank you.

Indira Thakurdin

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