The Bauxite Company of Guyana (BCGI) has repaired 60 km of road including a 38-km stretch from Aroaima to Ituni (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
A release from BCGI, a subsidiary of the Russian company RUSAL, said that management of the company on its own initiative decided to carry out repairs on the most difficult part of the Linden to Aroaima road. BCGI said it had no obligation to repair public roads but its decision was in line with its corporate social responsibilities. Road repairs began in June.
The company said “On June 2, 2009 the Company launched the road repair project in full. West Deposit Supervisor Seon Obermuller was assigned Project Supervisor. Five units of heavy equipment were sent to re-surface the road.
“The work continued day and night in order to complete operations before the heavy rainfall season arrived. 27 employees were working shift by shift under the baking sun and rain: Heavy Equipment Operators (Courtney Heartman, Bryon Watson, Levi Piggott, Huborn Lewis, Clifford Allen, Ashford Lindore, Micheal Odonoghue, Raymond Busguth, Selwyn Adonis, Huborn Lewis, Mark Anthony), Mechanics (Carsdale Aaron, Ewart Peters, William Nicholas, Randy Gladstone, John Ferguson, Travis Waterton, Micheal Williams, Travis Daw, Elvis Sampson) and Workers (Luther Cadogan, Walter Layne, Neil Greenidge) under the supervision of three Supervisors – Joseph Gilkes (Acting Foreman), Allen Bowen and Paul Trotman.”
It said that the section of road from Aroaima to Ituni was fully repaired along with an additional stretch from of 22 km from Linden to Ituni.
“In total the length of the restored road amounted to over 60 km with more than 27 km of these restored with laterite.
“During this road repairing exercise, the total volume of transported material was 6200 cubic metres, 18000 litres of diesel and 1663 litres of oil were consumed. Apart from labour costs, these were the significant expenses that were incurred by the Company.”
BCGI pointed out that during the rainy season the entire 115 kilometres from Linden to Aroaima becomes impassable and usually takes about 5 to 7 hours of travel. It noted that it was the main link for residents of the Upper Berbice Area. BCGI said “Apart from this, this road is used for transportation of cargo and materials for Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated and our employees leaving to and from `days-off’ each Thursday.
“Due to the condition of the road (slurry material, with huge puddles), there are many break-downs and transport vehicles stuck for long hours, resulting in loss of countless man-hours, at the least.
“The road condition is further compounded by the numerous log trucks which are transporting lumber on a daily basis by lumber companies. It literally transforms the roadway into a stern test of other drivers’ manoeuvring skills and a navigational maze.”
