APNU Member of Parliament, Saiku Andrews, is calling for explanations to be provided over the delay in road construction works on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

At a press conference on Friday, MP Andrews said while the APNU Coalition supports development, projects must be done to international standards in keeping with global best practices and within established timelines.

He said the protracted projects, coupled with an increase in dust pollution are causing great discomfort to citizens.

“Our local councilors and Members of Parliament have been engaged by citizens with several complaints, and this forces us to underscore the notable absence of proper planning in infrastructure development.  Travel is significantly delayed on a daily basis on the East Coast and East Bank corridors. The dust is a nuisance to travelers and people living in the vicinity of these public works and poses potential health risks. Some segments of the road construction are started and left for a significantly long time while others are ongoing,” MP Andrews said.

Noting that contractors are being allowed to operate without concern for citizens, MP Andrews called for contracts to include Health and Safety Protocols.

He also challenged the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, to establish Standard Operation Procedures, and adequate project management protocols for infrastructure projects.

“We do not need another early morning buse-out by the President as an operating procedure. In some instances, the President was given a list of delinquent contractors when those contractors were not even given commencement letters. This is a clear manifestation of incompetence,” he said.

MP Andrews said the length of road segment under construction should also be a factor within the SOP for road construction, explaining that lengthy segments of the road undergoing rehabilitation is contributing to the delays.

“With the lengthy segments citizens see their bridges destroyed and replaced by planks for extended periods of time. In some cases, erosion or flooding affects citizens private property. This is the case in Bachelors Adventure where there is the construction of the Ogle to Mahica Road. Government is not holding contractors accountable and is not working in the interest of the people. We urge a change to that approach,” he explained.

He said as the fastest growing economy per capita, Guyana cannot settle for rushed development.

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