A steel and concrete bridge spanning the Rupununi River at Karaudarnau village was commissioned last Thursday by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta.

The $3.5M project now makes it easier for several villages to have access to Lethem and other parts of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Nokta assured that the government will continue to construct bridges to link villages to enable people in the region to conduct their business. And according to Regional Vice-Chairman Clarindo Rudolph, the 2004 budget caters for such works, GINA stated.

It reported also that several wooden bridges have been constructed recently, including those at Huri, Willi Wow and Butoto.

Nokta called on villagers to desist from setting fires close to the bridges, noting "what we are doing here is building for the future and we must not be irresponsible in our actions."