Major upgrade for Free and Easy access road
Significant road upgrades are on the cards for the Free and Easy access road which leads to Harmony village in Region Three.
This was announced by Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar, during Saturday’s visit to both Region Three villages.
“It is hard for residents to come and go into this community. It is hard for any kind of development to happen beyond the path where they have proper roads because you can’t just get to the destination… On the 20th October, there should be an opening of a bid for the extension of this Free and Easy road to make it asphaltic concrete,” Minister Indar stated.
The Minister bemoaned the run-down state of the road which has resulted in the use of tractors as a mode of transportation for Harmony residents.
School teacher, Ms. Reasha Teyjanrine welcomed the news that her community will see a transformation.
“The road and the dam is made of mud. When it rains, it is really muddy. Most times I wear long boots to go to school because of the road. So, it will benefit the community and the children mostly,” Ms. Teyjanrine remarked.
Minister Indar told residents the entire length of the road will be done in phases. Sections of the thoroughfare in Harmony will be graded and shaped after Government irons out the logistics with the regional administration.
Another resident, Mr. Isaacs Sargoon, who resides in the community praised this initiative as it will enable economic growth in Harmony, which is a traditional farming community.
Mr. Sargoon said people will be able to, “take out produce, bring in things like poultry feed for the farmers,” and farmers will experience less difficulty taking their produce to market.
Another resident, Mr. Alex Moore, explained that the community relies on produce brought down the Demerara River since it sits on the riverbank.
Mr. Moore said it is a challenge whenever there is an issue with the boat’s engine because residents would be forced to use the road that is in a derelict state. He too is looking forward to the rehabilitation works. Minister Indar was accompanied to the community by Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Omesh Satyanand, as part of an exercise throughout many communities in the region where COVID-19 food hampers were distributed to the vulnerable.