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Aim for First World Standards to avoid a repeat of Secretary Rubio’s excoriation

Mar 29, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in remarks relating to Thursday’s trip to Guyana, condemned one of Guyana’s highways, saying one could get a concussion traveling on it. Guyanese are, and have been, proud of the highway since it was opened a few years ago, extolling its convenience.

It is the first highway of its kind in our country, a great achievement to be proud of if one does not travel overseas in a developed country. It reduces travel time to and from the East Bank and parts of Georgetown and the East Coast. I always felt we needed a shortcut linking those two parts of our developing country. The government is commended for the vision. More such shortcuts or links are required in this modern age, especially with the road jams caused by the manifold number of vehicles on the roads from two decades ago.

When the highway was opened a few years ago, I made a similar comment as Secretary Rubio’s, saying it is like a roller coaster ride. Drivers were defensive about their highway, responding that the road was not finished. They said the builders were waiting for the earth and sand to settle down, and then it would be paved, making it smooth and a pleasant ride. Three years later, the road remains the same or worse, with craters and some sides breaking up.

Mr Rubio blamed Chinese builders for shoddy workmanship. I do not know if the Chinese built that particular roller coaster roadway referenced by the Secretary. If they did, then they should be ordered to redo it or fix it properly. I traveled during multiple trips on highways in China; they were well built. I marveled at some construction in China not only on roads, but rails and skyscrapers as well. China has some of the most beautiful airports I have experienced, and I have travelled to over a hundred airports globally. Some of China’s roads were badly done, especially outside the major cities and in rural areas. Builders caught in shoddy work in aspects of construction in China, which resulted in major disasters, were known to be executed. That is the right solution to deter corruption.

The American Foreign Affairs Secretary rightly stated that if such a highway, which he condemned in Guyana, were built in America, the contractor would not be paid, and in fact would be fined (multiple times the amount of money of the contract) if not also prosecuted with serious jail time. That is a fact. That was the very same remark I uttered to my friends, including government officials, when I first traveled on the highway and on multiple trips thereafter. The defensive government officials often told me, as paraphrased: “Don’t bring that American thing here. You all have plenty bad roads in America too. You all fix your own roads and other problems before lecturing us about how things don’t work in Guyana and what we should or shouldn’t do. This is Guyana. What work in America, can’t work here”.

It is true that some roads in the USA are badly done and not everything works to perfection. When complaints are filed, investigations are carried out. Contractors and engineers are brought to account. In the USA, there is transparency and accountability.

Government engineers (PE) in America have to certify any road construction, however small, even if it is a minor repair. Most engineers and contractors did or do the right thing. The engineers know their license and employment (as well as pension) are on the line if anything goes wrong with poor work that is certified as meeting the standards. And the contractors know they will be sanctioned and prosecuted if any untoward incident were related to the construction or repairs. In Guyana, there are no sanctions. For example, light poles collapsed last year, resulting in major blackouts and lives were nearly lost, and till now it is not known if there has been serious accountability — fines, etc.

In going forward on any government contracts, roads, buildings, airports, stadiums, etc., minimum standards must be met before clearance for final payment. Qualified, certified engineers should give their imprimatur before release of money. Contractors must think about harm to the country’s reputation when there is shoddy workmanship. Contractors and government officials must do their best to avoid a repeat of the kind of comment uttered by the American Secretary. We live in a third-world country. That does not mean we must accept third-world or third-class construction standards. Aim for first-world standards!

Yours faithfully

Vishnu Bisram

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