“The Proof is in the Pudding”: Former Minister Slams Gov’t Over Cracking Sidewalks on New $6B Road
By: Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Less than three weeks after the official commissioning of the $6 billion Aubrey Barker Road expansion, a war of words has erupted over the structural integrity of the project’s pedestrian walkways and drainage covers. While the Ministry of Public Works maintains that the infrastructure is being damaged by “improper use,” former Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson is pointing the finger at substandard workmanship and a lack of quality oversight.
The controversy centers on several sections of the newly paved shoulders and reinforced drain covers along Aubrey Barker and Diamond Back Roads, which have already begun to show signs of cracking and structural failure.
The Ministry’s Defense: “Misuse by Motorists”
In a formal statement, the Ministry of Public Works rejected claims that the project was executed with inferior materials. According to technical investigations conducted by the Ministry:
- Design Intent: The walkways were engineered specifically for pedestrians and light residential traffic, such as cars and SUVs accessing private driveways.
- The Culprit: Officials have identified a pattern of heavy-duty machinery, industrial trucks, and high-tonnage vehicles utilizing the walkways as “haulage routes” or long-term parking lots.
- Structural Limits: The Ministry clarified that these reinforced covers were never designed to withstand the point-load pressure of industrial equipment. “These structures are not designed to serve as industrial parking lots,” the statement noted, warning that continued misuse creates safety risks and drains public funds for repairs.
The Ferguson Critique: “Something is Amiss”
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Nightly News, former Minister Annette Ferguson dismissed the government’s explanation, suggesting that the rapid deterioration of a multi-billion dollar project commissioned as recently as April 20, 2026, tells a different story.
- Quality Assurance: Ferguson argued that if technical personnel had conducted rigorous checks and balances during construction, the infrastructure would not be failing so soon.
- The “Heavy Duty” Excuse: “To say that the damage is being caused by heavy-duty machinery, I don’t buy it,” Ferguson stated. She contended that if the work was executed to high standards, the walkways would be more resilient.
- Public Expenditure: The former Minister expressed concern that taxpayers are being asked to accept excuses for what she perceives as a failure in quality control on one of South Georgetown’s most expensive infrastructure upgrades.
A Community Artery Under Pressure
The Aubrey Barker Road expansion was designed as a modern four-lane thoroughfare to ease congestion for over 5,000 daily commuters and link South Georgetown to the Heroes Highway. While the road itself remains a major achievement for the community, the “battle of the sidewalks” has become a flashpoint for political debate over the government’s massive infrastructure rollout. As repairs loom for the damaged sections, the question remains: is the damage a result of irresponsible driving, or an “unfinished chapter” in quality control?
