Thirty-one ommunities in Region 8 have been awarded contracts totaling $930 million to support the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads, bridges and vital connections across the region.
The contracts, signed on Saturday at the Ministry of Public Works, reflect a significant increase in support, from $5 million to $30 million. Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud highlighted the importance of these investments.
“Each of your clusters will identify 10 persons.We will bring those persons out to Georgetown to train in heavy-duty machinery, and where they go back to the region, and now you’re able to work on the larger connections with your own equipment across your various clusters,” he said.
Beyond this investment, an additional $1 billion will be used to purchase heavy-duty equipment for seven regional clusters, with training included.
“This is particularly important for Region 8, knowing its terrain, mountainous terrain as well, and being able to maintain those road connections, especially in critical time of where the pattern is used, and ensuring that you have access in and out of your communities,” the PS explained.
The Ministry also announced a new road safety initiative with reflective road and bridge signs to improve night-time visibility for motorists.
Meanwhile, the Special Projects Unit of the Ministry will continue upgrading internal roads to rigid pavement standards, starting this year in four more villages, and focusing on key routes, including linking airstrips, schools, health centres, and main roads.