Gov’t focusing on community road network while big projects ongoing

Two major road projects are taking shape on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) but even as these unfold, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill said the government is not neglecting community roads.

The two ongoing projects are the expansion of the Railway Embankment into a four-lane highway and the construction of a new highway from Ogle to Eccles.

But residents gathered at a government outreach in Ann’s Grove complained that some of their community roads are in a dilapidated state and require attention too. Edghill assured them those roads would be fixed.

“The commitment of the Irfaan Ali-led administration is to take care of all the roads within each community and create greater accessibility by expanding the road network (and) cutting travelling time,” Edghill highlighted.

He also explained that community roads are being developed because they are key road linkages to the major roads.

And already, he said more than $1 billion have been spent on fixing community roads from Enmore to Mahaica over the past two years.

Edghill’s comments on the road works came amid a much wider focus on providing relief to the community. Other government ministers attending the outreach outlined what relief measures could be provided in response to issues provided.

Numerous housing issues ranging from titles to land status were raised and this prompted Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall to plan a follow-up next Saturday.

Additionally, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips promised the residents that the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. would visit the community subsequently to assess the community ground and determine what assistance could be provided.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall said he would assess the community market and bridges in the area.