Rockstone residents hail ongoing $14.8M roadworks

Residents of Rockstone Village, Region 10 have lauded the major upgrades to the hinterland community’s internal and external roads that are ongoing through the Ministry of Public Works. A $14.825 million contract was signed in December to rehabilitate the road from Wisroc to Rockstone, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).  

Speaking at a community meeting Toshao Mr. Flagan Carter said the rehabilitation works are a breakthrough for the village. Minister within the Ministry, Hon. Deodat Indar and Presidential Advisor, Hon. Dr. Jennifer Westford MP led the meeting/

“For a long time, we have been starved of a proper trail,” Mr Carter said. 

The Toshao said the community had gotten the Ministry’s approval for rehabilitation works totalling approximately $14 million and a pledge of an additional $60 million in upgrades.  He said the lack of a decent roadway has always been a challenge for pregnant women and children. Drivers too had high costs for vehicular repairs due to the improper road.

“Kudos to the learned Minister and the work they have been doing in Rockstone. We do appreciate any small development infrastructurally, when it comes to the trail, improving the trail [and] improving the livelihoods of our members in the community,” Toshao Carter said.

Deputy Toshao Ms. Karen Williams also welcomed the works. “It is really beneficial to our community and other areas because this is the main trail into the interior,” she said.

Another resident, logger, Mr. Antonio Peters, said he is relieved the road repairs have started, since the community was subjected to years of unfulfilled promises by the former administration.

Citing the need for a road that features a renewed surface, Mr. Peters said, “the [Rockstone] Loggers Association hires trucks to come in and take out our produce from here and those trucks can only carry about 20 cubic [tonnes], but when the road is good, you carry about 30 cubic [tonnes].”

To this end, Mr. Peters said loggers will enjoy a greater income as more logs will be transported.

Eron Lall Civil Engineering Works won the $14.825 million contract to repair the road.  The contract started on December 1 and is for a duration of three months.