The deplorable Blackbush Polder main access road in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) is slated to benefit from more than $195 million in upgrades with the signing of two contracts by the Ministry of Public Works on Tuesday.
Though construction is divided into three lots, only two were awarded to Sawa Investments Inc. and Kascon Engineering Services while the other is still out for tender.
Blackbush Polder is the home to over 3,000 rice and cash crop farmers who depend on the main access road to transport their produce to the markets.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar explained that the road has not been repaired in years and is currently in a “bad state” due to the heavy machinery that regularly traverses the farming community.
“We did some patchwork when we came into office but these contracts are to resurface the road.”
Sawa Investments Inc will be conducting asphalt coverage works along the first section in Mibicuri at a cost of over $29 million; that contract will last for three months.
Kascon Engineering Services will be executing works on section two in the one-kilometre stretch in Johanna, lasting seven months.
“When you go in Johanna, you really cannot drive or pass through there, the bottom will fall out, it is bad.
“So these contracts are significant and mean a lot to the people of Blackbush Polder.”
Minister Indar further urged both contractors to mobilise immediately to bring some relief to the community.
