It was a welcome sight for residents of Welcome Road in Cunupia on Wednesday as rehabilitation works on a 500-metre stretch of roadway were officially completed.
The project was the result of a collaborative effort involving Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen, Caroni East MP Dr Rishad Seecheran, and Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation Ryan Rampersad, all of whom lobbied for the long-awaited upgrade.
“The portions we were able to complete really has reduced the amount of time people would take to get out of this community to get to school and to work and so on, but the taxis, of course, they are very happy.”
While the roadway has been upgraded, Minister Ameen noted that attention will now turn to improving drainage infrastructure in sections where it is still needed.
“The Corporation, we will work with them to ensure that we establish at least earthen drains along the roadway so that way the water will run off safely and you will not have the water ponding, pooling to mash up the road again.”
MP Seecheran described the project as long overdue, noting that repeated requests had been made over the years for the road to be rehabilitated.
“This road was very, very bad for the last nine and a half years under the PNM government, and myself, as well as MP Gopeesingh at the time, we made constant representation asking for this road to be rehabilitated.”
Chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation Ryan Rampersad also reflected on the challenges residents endured, saying the area had seen limited development and funding in recent years, leaving many frustrated by the condition of the roadway.
“The people of Welcome North and all of Welcome, they benefit under the UNC Government. The last time we get any developmental work was between 2010 and 2015, and the work was stopped after that. The residents of this area, they have suffered; our Regional Corporation also suffered for funding under those nine and a half years, very, very small funding, and we would have done small sections, small repairs, which was not sufficient. The residents were very frustrated.”
Residents say the completed works have brought much-needed relief.
“It’s a really beautiful sight and feeling to run your vehicle on these roads, and we can use both sides now. Thank you all very much.”
Minister Ameen said her Ministry will continue to identify and prioritise critical infrastructure projects across the country, while urging citizens to be patient as more communities receive attention.
She also commended the Government’s efforts to attract greater investment in the energy sector, noting that increased revenue ultimately supports development initiatives at the Local Government level.