Tuschen residents struggling with deplorable roads

A resident shows the depth of water in one of the potholes
A resident shows the depth of water in one of the potholes

Residents of Phase 1 and 2, Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, are at their wits end over the deplorable state of the roads in their community.

Stabroek News paid a visit to Tuschen Village yesterday and spoke with several residents who shared their concerns about the terrible state of the roads. According to the residents of Phase 2, the road has been in a state of disrepair state for about 10 years now. Ravindra Persaud, a cement-block maker spoke with this newspaper and explained that it is difficult for his customers to traverse the street on which he lives. “Me ask them contractor when me see them bin ah do the back road if them ah do this road too, them say them nah get the contact to do here.”

More than half of this road at sections is scarred by potholes

Another resident, Grant (only name given), stated that since the contractors placed bricks and loam on some parts of the road three weeks ago, they have not returned. However, he and a few of the other residents have concluded that the contractors wouldn’t complete the road since they had gathered all their machinery and left. Currently, the road is basically “crusher run” with numerous craters and ponds. They related that before the crusher run road was constructed, it was more difficult to move around since taxis and other vehicles were unable to enter that part of the village.

And Winston, a taxi driver, stated that the road is causing severe damage to vehicles.

A road of slush

Stabroek News interviewed a cane cutter of Uitvlugt estate who has been residing in Phase 2 for more than ten years. The man explained that due to heavy rainfall he would experience flooding. He stated, “Bare kak wuk them a do here, watch how the crusher run them give abee done wash away eh, nobody don’t come at the back here to see what is going on. One time we does see them minister and is when is election time for abee to vote. The minister live front part of the scheme and if you see how he road smooth, smooth. If you ah spend money to mek something, make something good and proppa, nah this.”

The man further complained that meetings are not being held to address the issues being faced by the residents.