Communities across Lower Mazaruni are beginning to see improvements in roads, electricity, public facilities and community lighting following concerns raised during President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s recent outreach to Region Seven.
Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dr Josh Kanhai said the region has moved swiftly to address several of the issues identified during the President’s engagements with residents in Bartica, Batavia and Karrau.
Speaking in an interview posted on Monday evening, Dr Kanhai outlined a series of projects that have either been completed or are currently underway.
ROAD WORKS UNDERWAY
At Batavia, approximately two kilometres of roadway have been upgraded with an all-weather crusher-run surface, improving access for residents and making the roads more reliable during periods of heavy rainfall.
Dr Kanhai said improving access to homes and communities was among the priorities identified during the President’s outreach.
“His Excellency wants everyone to have comfort and accessibility. So, the mandate was to make sure that these roads are graded, they’re in a good state and that people can access their homes easily,” he said.
The region has also received additional equipment to accelerate road rehabilitation and other infrastructure works.
Following President Ali’s observation during his visit to Bartica that more machinery was needed, an excavator, grader and roller were delivered approximately three to four weeks later.
The equipment is now being used to upgrade dams with crusher-run material and carry out road-grading works in communities including Dark Point, Karrau and Agatash.
SEA DEFENCE PROJECTS BEING ADVANCED
Concerns over coastal and riverbank protection raised during the Batavia engagement are also being addressed.
According to Dr Kanhai, the Sea Defence Board and the Ministry of Public Works are handling the identified sea-defence works, with projects scheduled to begin this year.
Similar works planned for central Bartica are expected to proceed to the tendering stage.
HOSPITAL POWER ISSUES RESOLVED
The Bartica Regional Hospital has also benefited from intervention following concerns over its electricity supply.
Dr Kanhai said the Ministry of Health dispatched an electrical engineer and biomedical personnel to assess and repair the facility’s systems.
Power-related problems have since been addressed, while a repaired X-ray machine is expected to return to operation shortly.
In the interim, backup equipment remains available to support the hospital’s diagnostic services.
EXPANSION OF COMMUNITY LIGHTING
Lighting infrastructure is also being expanded throughout Lower Mazaruni.
The region has already received 350 streetlights, with additional units expected to be supplied by the Ministry of Public Works.
At Karrau, an assessment has also been completed to determine the requirements for extending transmission lines to improve electricity access.
Dr Kanhai said the lighting programme is expected to significantly increase coverage across the region.
“I can safely say that before this year ends, almost 98 per cent of Lower Mazaruni districts will have streetlights and lighting available in their communities,” he said.
MORE THAN $200 MILLION FOR SCHOOL UPGRADES
The education sector has also received substantial support, with the Ministry of Education allocating more than $200 million for improvements at schools in the region.
The funding was used for works involving gutters, trestles, water supply systems, security infrastructure and lighting ahead of the start of the new school term.
The ongoing projects form part of the wider effort to address infrastructure needs identified during the President’s Region Seven outreach and improve living conditions and public services for residents across Lower Mazaruni.