Recent heavy rains in the hinterland have led to deterioration of roads and the Ministry of Public Works on Sunday invited bids for rehabilitation and maintenance of key roadways including the Linden-Lethem road.
The works have been divided into several lots. Lot 1 is for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Linden-Lethem road from Siparuni Junction to Kurupukari, while Lot 2 covers the section from Kurupukari to Lethem. Lot 3 is for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the Parishara, Nappi and Haiowa roads. Lots 4 and 5 cover the road from Lethem to Aishalton with the first section extending from Lethem to Katoonarib while the second section is from Katoonarib to Aishalton. According to an ad in the Sunday Chronicle, the duration of the works varies between three and six months and all bidders must submit their bids by July 1.
There has been heavy rains in parts of the hinterland over the past weeks and according to reports from Region Nine, the Linden-Lethem road has deteriorated and travel time is longer, taking as much as 20 hours. Rains have also impacted the Lethem–Aishalton road and with the laterite road deteriorating, travel time has extended, according to a resident who traversed the road over the weekend.
Nearly $250 million has been allocated in this year’s budget for works on the Linden to Lethem trail. Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh said during his budget presentation that negotiations had advanced substantially between Guyana and Brazil as it relates to the upgrading of the road and technical working groups were preparing the design study for the construction of the Linden to Lethem road.
Stabroek News understands that the design for the road will cost over $2 billion but that in addition to the design funds, talks were also ongoing on funding for construction. Officials have said that the Linden-Lethem trail is to be transformed into an all-weather road with Brazilian help and in April, the Ministry of Public Works said it expected that the first stage will be accomplished in the following weeks when the terms of reference for Brazil to fund a detailed engineering design for the road was due to be finalized.
