Upset over the state of their roads, Port Kaituma residents yesterday blocked a section of the main roadway, barring all vehicular traffic heading to and from the airstrip, waterfront and backdam and cutting off supplies to mining camps.
About 75 residents took part in the protest actions and there are plans to block the airstrip today. A Port Kaituma resident told Stabroek News that they were fed up with the state of the road. Around 9 am, she said, residents came out and blocked the roadway at the hospital turn using vehicles. In some parts tyres were used.
The resident explained that as a result of the blockage, traffic coming from the airport and going to the waterfront and the backdam was unable to pass, including trucks and cruisers filled with fuel and goods that were destined for the backdam areas.
According to the resident, in one instance a medical team on its way to the Four Miles Health Centre was delayed for about two hours because of the blockage. The resident said that this is the first time residents blocked the road, while noting that there are deep holes in the roadways.
“I want the road to be fixed. This is a mining area and they need to do something ’bout it,” the resident said, recalling that trucks and cruisers have turned over and persons injured in the past.
She said that because of the state of the road medical treatment for many persons is delayed.
Regional Chairman Paul Pierre told Stabroek News that he was aware of the residents’ concerns, noting that the roads—both internal and external—have been in bad state for some time. He said that the weather has contributed significantly to the present condition of the roads.
According to Pierre, no works have been done recently because of the weather. He added that the ministry should commence rehab works on the roads in the community within the next week. Up to last evening, Transport Minister Robeson Benn could not be reached for a comment on the situation.
However, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, during a press conference yesterday, said that Minister Benn had accepted that the roads in Port Kaituma needed “significant rehabilitation” urgently. He said that the minister assured cabinet that his ministry was attending to this situation.
Luncheon was responding to a question about the state of the roads at Bartica (the Potaro Road) and Port Kaituma. He said the roads would fall under hinterland roads and details about their condition would be best provided by Minister Benn.
He added that over the last two to three weeks, hinterland roads and their rehabilitation have been a matter high on the agenda both at the level of the president at his weekly meetings and at cabinet itself.
Meanwhile, APNU MP Richard Allen told Stabroek News that residents of the community have been suffering for too long. He said that the roads are dry and now is the perfect time for critical repair works to be done.
According to Allen, the residents contacted regional officials, who said that they were awaiting word from the Works Minister. He said that residents remained very upset and were preparing to close down the Port Kaituma Airstrip.
