The residents of Beterverwagting (BV) on the East Coast of Demerara are to benefit from the installation of 35 light-emitting diode (LED) lights along the Main Access Road.
According to a Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) release, this development was announced by the Minister within the MoPI, Jaipaul Sharma, yesterday, during a visit to the community to meet with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) members and residents.
The visit was a result of the complaints made by the residents, particularly the senior citizens, when they met with the minister at his office
During the visit, Sharma disclosed that the contract for the installation of 35 LED lights had been awarded to Thomas Electrical Construction and Manufacturing. He added that all of the old high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps along the Main Access Road will be changed to LED lamps, which are more efficient and conservative. According to the Minister, the mobilisation for the installation of the 35 street lights commenced last Saturday and the actual installation began on Tuesday, so therefore within a matter of days the residents of BV can expect their streets to be fully illuminated.
Chairman of the Triumph/Beterverwagting District, Jimmaul Bagot, after speaking with Sharma said, “I am very much elated today that after such a short time a Minister listened to our cry and it didn’t go unheard.” He added that even though the road will not be rehabilitated to an asphaltic concrete surface as was done during the first phase of Republic Drive, BV, due to budgetary constraints, there would be the maintenance of the existing asphaltic surface and crusher run surface. “We are nonetheless very happy and thankful to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.”
Ex-NDC member Desiree Allen, 71, related that Quamina Road and many other internal roads have not been rehabilitated within the past two decades and she was happy to know that the Ministry will be installing street lights at the five main cross streets on Quamina Road, and along the Main Access Road the Republic Drive, BV, and at the same time, upgrading their present road surface. At least to the point of where minibuses and taxis will have easy access in and out of the village, the release added.
