127-mile road links communities of Regions Eight and Nine

127-mile road links communities of Regions Eight and Nine

Guyana Chronicle
April 4, 2003

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AT yesterday’s press briefing are (from left): Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta, Chairman of Region Eight Mr. Senor Bell, and Regional Executive Officer Mr. Peter Ramotar. (Picture by Cullen Bess Nelson)
AMERINDIAN communities within Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) are now accessible for further development with the completion of a 127-mile long road linking that Region with Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu) and the Georgetown Lethem road.

Executed by local residents under the supervision of the Regional Administration, the project was started three years ago and cost more than $21M.

During a press briefing yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta said that one immediate benefit of the new road is the improved access communities would have to services in the health and education sectors.

He said too that the roadway would tremendously enhance agriculture development since farmers would be able to transport their produce to marketing posts at a reduced cost.

Because of the remoteness of the Region, residents there depended heavily on air transport with a freight cost of $110 per pound. With the Region now being accessible by road, the costs of goods and services would be reduced by 70 per cent, Nokta said.

The Minister said $16M was allocated to the Region in this year’s budget to purchase a bulldozer to further develop and maintain the road.

He also said that the opening of the road would serve to expand Guyana’s eco-tourism industry by presenting a view of the natural beauty of the terrain in the North and South Pakaraimas.

It would open the possibility for persons interested in mountain climbing and sightseeing of hinterland waterfalls, he added.

The Minister of Local Government led a safari lasting two and a half days from Karasabai to Orinduik. The safari comprised four Land Rover vehicles with passengers and two tractors with trailers. The journey was trouble-free Nokta said.

Regional Executive Officer Mr. Peter Ramotar said it would now be easier for the Regions to attract quality officers from the coastal areas of the country to serve there.

Ramotar said it is usually difficult to get officers to serve in places as remote as Region Eight because of challenges such as ready access to proper health care, and moving from one village to another over very rough terrain.

“I see this roadway as being positive in terms of administering the Region and having better services available,” he pointed out. (Jaime Hall)