$50M road promised for Matthews Ridge in 2006 will be built now – Jagdeo

-blames Public Works Ministry for delay

Two Region One communities are set to undergo massive infrastructural changes as $50M was recently granted for the construction of a 30-mile road to link them.

During a visit to the community on Tuesday, President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the money to execute the project had been assigned since the 2006 election. “In 2006 we said we will spend $2B on hinterlands roads; this was one of the roads identified we set aside the money three years ago and until now it has not been spent,” a Govern-ment Information Agency (GINA) press release quoted him as saying.

Jagdeo said he was also disappointed that the $1.5B, which had been allocated and was available to build a road to link Region Eight and Region Nine had not been expended.

He said the delay in the Matthews Ridge road had to have happened at the Ministry of Public Works which is responsible for such projects, however; he added that “The money has since been handed over to the Prime Minister and the tendering process for contracts in this regard will follow.”

Jagdeo also noted that government will work with the Reunion Manganese Company which is currently conducting an exploration exercise at Matthews Ridge, to help with the road works. The two parties work together since the company will need to maintain the roads to facilitate their operations.

In addition, President and CEO of Reunion Gold James Crombie, during an earlier meeting with the president, emphasised that the road between Matthews Ridge and Port Kaituma has to be upgraded to transport the company’s materials and equipment. Executive Chair-man David Fennell said the company is open to dialogue with the community regarding a series of projects to be undertaken. “We are going to improve the roads and other infrastructure to make people’s lives easier,” he said.