BY December this year, the market tarmac at Kumaka in the Mabaruma sub-region is expected to be completed and the vending public in the area is being sensitised on the impending opening of the new facility.
The tarmac was constructed under the previous government at a cost of G$34M, however, there were several defects in the design and this led to a re-design, spearheaded by an engineer at the Ministry of Public Works at the time.

The scope of works was re- examined and approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on August 22, 2012 and the contractor was advised.
However, additional changes were made due to the boggy nature of the land, with the installation of a revetment at the sides and front catering for the most vulnerable and traffic traversing areas of the tarmac. The facility was built in a swampy area.

After Mabaruma became a town following the local government elections last year, the Town Council undertook a number of projects, including the rehabilitation of the tarmac.
Town Clerk, Barrington Ward, told the Guyana Chronicle recently that the tarmac is being fixed in time for the Christmas season this year. He said some 13 spots have been allotted to vendors to sell at the tarmac so far and the Council is in the process of contracting additional spots to vendors.

A meeting was held recently at Kumaka with the business community to sensitise persons on the forthcoming opening of the tarmac and according to Ward, the facility will be complemented by the rehabilitated Kumaka Stretch which is being rehabilitated. The roadway is undergoing significant upgrades and is expected to be of concrete when completed in a few weeks.
The general aesthetics of the area is being cleaned, Ward noted. He said too that the Town Council is working to complete several projects which the body had on its agenda for completion this year. “Projects are ongoing at the moment,” he said.
One such project is a recreational vending facility at Bumbury Hill, located several miles from the Mabaruma township, which is expected to be completed this month-end. Ward noted that nine sanitary blocks are being built at the site, where a playfield is being constructed along with vending stalls. The park will be fitted with seating and lighting facilities.

He said that the park is being built with the intention of creating business opportunities for persons in the immediate vicinity, as well as villages within the sub-region.