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“Our voices went unheard”: Central Rupununi residents stranded by flooded Hiowa Creek
(Kaieteur News) – As the seasonal rains return to the Rupununi, residents of East Central villages find themselves trapped in a familiar cycle of frustration and isolation. Despite millions of dollars in government expenditure on the regional road network, the crossing at Hiowa Creek has once again succumbed to rising waters, rendering it impassable for daily commuters and local transport.
Speaking with Kaieteur News, local resident Guy Fredericks expressed a sense of weary resignation, noting that the community’s warnings during the road’s initial construction were largely ignored by authorities.
A screengrab of the road completely washed away by the flooded creek.
“Another rainy season is here and we have to go through the same situation again,” Fredericks lamented. “Hiowa Creek flooded, no bridge built, the road not repaired, and culverts not installed correctly. At the very inception, we made recommendations, but our voices went unheard.”
According to Fredericks, the recurring crisis is the result of a refusal to acknowledge the natural hydrology of the area. While residents advocated for a bridge to handle the heavy volume of water passing through the creek, contractors opted for the installation of culverts, a move locals say was doomed from the start.
“Since the road was built, this has been happening,” Fredericks explained. “We recommended a bridge, but culverts were installed instead. During and after construction, another culvert was added, but it is of no help. That creek needs a bridge.”
The Hiowa Creek crossing is a vital artery for the East Central district. The road serves as the primary link for several villages and their satellite communities, including:
- Katoka
- Yupukari
- Nappi
- Hiowa
- Parishara
The flooding does not only hinder personal travel; it disrupts the regional economy and public services. Government employees and essential workers traverse this route daily to reach their posts. With the road submerged, many are left unable to report for work in Lethem, and the flow of supplies to village shops is severely restricted. Residents are questioning the value of the “millions” spent on the road project if it fails to remain functional during the most predictable weather patterns of the year. For the people of the Central Rupununi, the lack of a permanent bridge at Hiowa Creek has become a symbol of infrastructure that prioritises temporary fixes over long-term resilience. As the rains continue, the community is left to navigate the waters on their own.
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