The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is rehabilitating a 16-mile stretch of road from Matthews Ridge to Baramita and conducting other infrastructural works under a $90M contract.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the project is a joint collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Communication and North West Investments Incorporated has been contracted to do the works which includes the rebuilding of bridges and culverts. The GGMC had also paved the road from Matthews Ridge to Arakaka to Port Kaituma in 2006 and had upgraded the Georgetown to Lethem road at a cost of $260M.

Contractor Jonny Philips said the road work is progressing though “the inclement weather over recent days has halted the project deadline.” The project started in September and was expected to be completed by March 2009. Philips said the previous state of the road made access impossible. “The road was so bad that it took hours for you to get where you were going or you had to walk with men to help in the event that the vehicle was stuck. If it’s a truck you could imagine how hard that was,” he said.
During a recent visit to Matthews Ridge GGMC acting Commissioner William Woolford said several farms along the road have been rejuvenated due to the improved access. “In addition to mining and logging we think that there will be some amount of settling along the road once again,” Woolford said. The GGMC, Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission have already signed an MOU “to bring amicable solutions to the use of the hinterland roads.” The agreement outlined the requirements for payment of toll, road maintenance and environmental management calls for the respect of surface right holders. The GGMC has also put systems in place to maintain vigilance on the lawful use of roads by miners following the destruction of the road linking Mahdia to Salbora in Region Eight.

According to GINA several stakeholders including miners, loggers and surface right holders are already benefiting from the improvements. Similar projects are also being undertaken simultaneously in other districts at greater costs. These areas include Cuyuni/ Mazaruni in Region Seven and Potaro in Region Eight.