Mahdia on road to transformation – residents
─ 80% of roads in Mahdia upgraded from laterite to concrete structures
─ built to last for decades
─ $827M internal roads were recently commissioned
─ routine maintenance schedule will be undertaken on Mabura to Mahdia road corridor
DPI, Guyana, Monday, October 29, 2018
The recent commissioning of new internal roads and declaration of township status in Mahdia, Region Eight, has been welcomed by residents and seen as a major accomplishment for the region.
Eighty per cent of the roads in Mahdia were upgraded from laterite to concrete structures, built to last for decades. The $827M internal roads were recently commissioned by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.
Reverend Aubrey Skeete, who has lived in Mahdia for 20 years, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) the previous laterite road in Mahdia affected both businesses and households. He added that the pollution from the roads also affected the health of residents.
“This here is like 200 per cent better than what we had before and the longevity is impressive because it’s 8 inches of concrete steel. There was an attempt years ago to do double asphalt but the road disappeared quickly so, this is great. The benefits have already begun, people can expose their ware and clothing and not have them damaged. Mothers are not fearful of the extreme dust and the drainage is excellent,” Reverend Skeete said.
Turning his attention to Mahdia being declared a town, Reverend Skeete lauded this noteworthy achievement as a dream becoming a reality. He said former President Linden Forbes Burnham had touted this initiative and now President David Granger had made it a reality. “I’m glad and enthused that another great leader has now brought this into reality. It’s a great step forward for Mahdia.”
Leandra Sandwell was born and raised in Mahdia. She told DPI that since the road has been paved her goods are now lasting longer. She said “we’re not getting a lot of dust, we have a business in front and when vehicles are traversing we’re not getting a lot of dust like before. Our goods are better off and everything is going good so far.”
Kelvin Rollocks, who was also born in Mahdia, is exuberant and extremely proud of the achievements: “I’m proud of how Mahdia is today because so long we were promised roads but today we got them. We love that the road is solid concrete structures and we know that it can take the load from these vehicles. This one looks like the genuine thing so we love it.”
Like the other residents, Onecia Cooper believes that the new roads could lead to major development in Mahdia. She told DPI that with Mahdia gaining township status, major investments are imminent. “Before Mahdia was referred to as bush but right now it’s a town. This township status could encourage persons to come and invest, young persons could get jobs and start becoming productive citizens of the society. This is the way forward for us.” In the near future, speed bumps and fifteen solar street lights will be installed along the roadways.
In 2019, Region Eight will benefit from the rehabilitation of the road from Karassabi to Paramakatoi and from Hill Foot to the airport in the first phase, then to the new housing scheme in the second phase.
Also, one-year routine maintenance schedule will be undertaken on the Mabura to Mahdia road corridor, while the bridges will be retrofitted to concrete.
Ranetta La Fleur.
Images: Keno George.