Once the current rainy season comes to an end, the Government of Guyana will be moving to effect major road works in Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region 3). This is according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson who revealed that “I have about $60M in our budget for Wakenaam to fix the main roads.”
The Minister’s disclosure comes on the heels of what he described as his “first-hand experience of travelling on the roads”, having driven his vehicle throughout the island during a government outreach.
Minister Patterson was candid when pointing out the short-term challenges prior to the commencement of the rehabilitative works. “The biggest hindrance to that is the rain…The most difficult thing for the road is rain because if you put it down when the place is wet, it’ll come up back right away,” he explained.
Moreover, he pointed out that the rehabilitation of Wakenaam’s main roads is slated to commence at the beginning of the dry season.
With respect to the electricity sector, Minister Patterson committed to the installation of an additional 20 LED (light-emitting diode) lights on the island. This will complement the 60 LED lights that were erected on GPL’s poles throughout the island in 2018.
“I think the road upgrade would be really, really nice since traversing the road. For me, from Maria Johanna to Souci is a task, and it costs me $1,000 every day,” Nicola Harry, a teacher said after learning of the road works to soon come on stream.
Soyinee Clarke, another resident of Wakenaam, is looking forward to the upcoming works too, remarking that she is “very thankful”.
Also, Winston Browne, another resident enthusiastically added, “We in Mary Johanna, Wakenaam are so satisfied with this administration because we see the kind of seriousness within the Administration.”
