Georgetown: In previous years, Lethem has had its fair share of deplorable roads, but after investing approximately $473M, these woes are officially a thing of the past.
On Friday, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo delivered the feature address at the commissioning ceremony of the Barrack Retreat Corridor, the main access road into the Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo Region.
“It takes vision, it takes a plan, and we can use Lethem as an example,” the Prime Minister stated as he lauded the efforts of the Coalition Government to bring the massive project to fruition.
As a result of the new asphalt dual carriageway, people throughout Guyana continue to flock to the southernmost administrative region to experience its culture that was previously a hazardous journey due to the deplorable dusty road.
“More persons will be identifying Lethem as the connecting hub that will connect Guyana with the rest of South American,” the Prime Minister alluded.
It was the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Paterson who drove home the point that the government was not finished with the hinterland region.
According to Minister Patterson, numerous plans are in the pipeline for Region 9. For 2020 and beyond, the Public Infrastructure Minister said Guyanese can expect an extension of its internal roads. This is inclusive of works on streetlights and drainage in Lethem.
Moreover, Region 9’s Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker delivered a passionate endorsement of the road project. The REO noted, “what we are seeing is an effort to change the landscape of the Rupununi.”
Beginning in 2017, JR Ranch Incorporated vegan Phase 1 of the road by installing 2km of underground drains, sub base and base preparation. For 2018, the sub-base and base layer with laterite was constructed from the roundabout to Tabatinga Bridge.
The Barrack Retreat Corridor was completed in 2019 with the paving of the asphalt road to an approximate length of 1.8km.
Ministers of Natural Resources and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs also delivered remarks. Numerous other ministers of government attended the commissioning ceremony on Friday.
Residents of Lethem described the $473M dual carriageway road as “a big relief” especially since such development was non-existent in the township.
Junior Springer, who grew up in the township, said that he is appreciative of the promise fulfilled by the government. “It is a big relief for the residents of Lethem, especially shop owners that have their business alongside the road. Before, when you visit the shop, everything in the shop was red, and now it is a total difference; the whole atmosphere has changed. You are not seeing the redness; the shops are clean,” he stated. Springer, who is also a motorcyclist, explained that he would now be spending far less money on wear and tear.
Rachael Joseph said that she is fascinated with the transformation of the township compared to when she attended school just a few years ago. “When I was going to school it was a very bad situation, when it rained, the place got muddy, and by the time you made it to school, your socks were dirty. The new road is good for us, especially for persons with cars… We just need to get used to the traffic now.”
Noting the ease of access was Leondra Leo, “…When riding, you had to take your time because it was quite dangerous,” she recalled. “The road now as you can see is much better and makes things much easier,” the young lady stated.
As for Dexter Rosenay, he is amazed by the infrastructural development. “It is a good thing for Region 9 because when I came here, there was hardly a proper road and there were no lights, and now you can see we have new roads, lights and investors coming into region nine.”
The Lethem Road project began back in 2017 and is among a series of major infrastructural developments ongoing in the township under the Coalition Government.
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