Consultant says poor quality asphalt responsible for deterioration of Parfaite Harmonie access road

A large pothole that developed on the Parfaite Harmonie access road two weeks ago.

Despite an assurance from Gaico Construction Services that a key section of the Parfaite Harmonie access road is sound, consultant Edward Gonsalves has said it was constructed with poor quality asphalt, which is responsible for its continued deterioration.

After various complaints from residents and drivers over the condition of the road, Stabroek News visited the community but found that the numerous potholes that were described by persons had been patched. Gaico Construction Services CEO Komal Singh subsequently confirmed that the company, which built the middle section of the road that was riddled with potholes and other defects, had done the repairs since it had given the Ministry of Communities a 10-year warranty.

Singh had also stated that the formation of potholes and other defects on the road was as a result of the dumping of overburden on its shoulders and the constant roaming of cattle along the thoroughfare. He had assured that the road was a “very solid road” and advised the responsible authorities to ensure that the waste from the canals was not being dumped near the road.  However, in a letter to Stabroek News two Fridays ago, Gonsalves said that the road was poorly built. Gonsalves explained that in February he had organised a visit to inspect roads around the country that had “prematurely failed” for 30 members of staff of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI).