The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), has clarified that paving will not commence on the Linden to Lethem Road next week. In fact, it is the prequalification of contractors that will begin at that time. The ministry contends that the Minister, David Patterson, was misquoted.
It further stated that the project is at the procurement stage, where the ministry is selecting the prequalification of contractors to execute the paving works. It is this process that is scheduled to commence on October 1, 2019.
Guyana Standard understands that the prequalification process entails the information gathering and assessment process that will help the ministry determine a contractor’s capability, capacity, resources, management processes, and performance.
The commencement of the prequalification exercise will come exactly two months after the ministry spearheaded a consultation meeting with Mabura and Kurupukari residents, who are expected to benefit from the project. The community consultations were conducted at the Iwokrama River Lodge and Research Centre, and the Mabura Health Post.
The project is expected to make major upgrades to approximately 122 kilometers (km) of the Linden to Lethem Road, a key section of the arterial route from the coast of Guyana to Brazil. It will also include the construction of a crossing at Kurupukari to replace the current ferry which has limited capacity and does not operate on a 24-hour basis. The road, when fully rehabilitated, is expected to open opportunities for increased agricultural production and tourism.
