President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Thursday night announced that the government will spend about $400 million to upgrade roads in the community of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The President, during an impromptu walkabout, also said funds will be spent to upgrade other roads in the nearby communities of Farm, Herstelling and Covent Garden.
“As I speak to you right now, we have $400 million in roads committed to this area here,” the Head of State said while engaging Mocha Arcadia residents on various concerns.
He also told them that a mobile pump will be placed in the community to help resolve some of their drainage and irrigation concerns.
Traffic lights and street lights should also be installed in and around the community, though the President added that the government will this year embark on a national programme to install street lights in every community.
The funds allocated to these communities, the President explained, will be reflected in the 2024 National Budget. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh will be presenting that budget to the National Assembly on Monday.
Meanwhile, during his visit to Farm, the President stressed the need to use the new roads properly to prevent damages. He floated the idea of installing barriers at cross streets.
The barriers will allow smaller trucks to transport materials and access the small streets in the communities so that persons can get their materials in the streets for constructing their homes.
“We have seen in many areas where barriers do help to protect the infrastructure as long as possible…the barriers are not here as a hindrance,” he said.
