Residents of the community of Mocha/ Arcadia on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) have long complained of deteriorating roads and with a sum of $192 million earmarked, the roads of the community will get much-needed attention.
On Sunday, President Dr. Irfaan Ali opened the newly rehabilitated Burnham Boulevard in the community.
This is a main access road but residents have been plagued by limited access when there is heavy rainfall. And so, following up on complaints from residents, the road has been newly-paved.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar said that it cost about $59 million to rehabilitate Burnham’s boulevard and Ray’s Avenue, another roadway in the community.
Indar also announced that the government will spend $46 million to rehabilitate the Barnwell road in the community.
This particular road has been a significant burden on the community. On May 26 this year, Guyana’s Independence day, three children perished after their house at Barnwell, aback Mocha, went up in flames.
The deplorable state of the access road prevented firefighters from effectively responding to the blaze.
Meanwhile, Indar noted that another $59 million will be spent on Cemetery road.
With other planned works, Indar announced that some $192 million will be spent to upgrade the community’s road network.
This need for road works was underscored by residents as they met with President Ali and members of his cabinet on Sunday, at the Mocha primary school.
One resident noted that taxis refuse to enter the community because of the state of the roads. This, she explained, is particularly worrying in case of emergencies.
