The Public Infrastructure Ministry has announced that a contract has been signed which will see the rehabilitation of the Puruni Road, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) in the coming weeks. This announcement comes after weeks of public outcry from miners and other stakeholders regarding the deplorable state of the road.
The Ministry said the contract was inked in order to facilitate the rehabilitation and construction of the Itabali to Puruni Road and works are expected to commence in a few weeks.
“While the responsibility for this road falls specifically under the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has recognised the urgency of repair and assures that all efforts are being made by the Ministry to advance the efforts of the GGMC to have this road rehabilitated,” a statement from the Ministry said.
The trail which was dubbed the “gateway” to the interior has been massively deteriorating over the past months.
Although an $89 million contract was awarded to JR Construction Services and Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC), to facilitate upgrade works back in 2017, miners and other commuters were still praying for the road to be fixed.
In fact, the state of the road has now left miners and other road users fearful for their stocks and moreover their lives, as it becomes more and more difficult to use the trail every day. Persons were even forced to suspend their operations at various intervals owing to the nearly impassable roads in the area.
A few frustrated miners who are obligated to use the trail with their heavy-duty trucks and other vehicles have been experiencing the full discomfort, having their faith and adrenaline tested as they venture into the almost impassable roads.
The Puruni Road runs from Itaballi through Papishpou and is said to be the only entrance and exit to various sections of Region Seven.
