THE Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) has embarked on a number of new initiatives aimed at improving stellings and wharves, and developing waterfronts. Some $15.2B are expected to be expended on these projects.Subject Minister David Patterson told the National Assembly on Wednesday during the customary budget debates that Government has identified a number of projects to be implemented by the MPI Ministry.

“These projects,” he said, “are being funded by the Government of Guyana and the UK-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (DFID), and focus on stellings and wharves’ development, waterfront development, port development, and airstrips and aerodromes’ development.”

He noted, too, that the Government has received “positive confirmation on this grant.”
Of the total of $15.2B, some $1.948B will be utilised for the development of stellings and wharves, with $472.5M going to the Parika Stelling; $1.102B to the Port Kaituma Stelling; another $157.5M to the Kumaka Stelling; and $315M to the Bartica Stelling.

With respect to waterfront development, the allocation is $1.1B: T&HD Stelling (Georgetown), $315M; the collapsed Stabroek Market Wharf, $472.5M; the construction of concessions and construction of floating ramp to accommodate speedboats, $157.5M; and the construction of a fixed ramp to bridge the T&HD Stelling and the rehabilitated Stabroek Market Wharf, $157.5M.

SEA DEFENCE
Additionally, $3.6B have been budgeted for the rehabilitation of sections of sea defence between Kingston and Ogle (in Georgetown); construction of a boardwalk between Kingston and Kitty; construction of a boardwalk, concessions with solar lighting facilities, including a recreation area in Skeldon (in Region 6); and the construction of facilities for speedboat operators and the travelling public at Supenaam, in Region 2.

Under Port Development, $2.520B have been proposed for acquisition of a dredge to clear the channels in Port Georgetown; $1.260B for airstrip and aerodrome development at Annai, in Region 9; Ekeruku Bottom, in Region 7; at Lethem, also in Region 9; and on the resurfacing of the Bartica Airstrip in Region 7.

Addressing the House, Minister Patterson said: “Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already published advertisements, inviting technical proposals (including conceptual designs) and financial proposals from suitably qualified individuals and consulting firms, and these advertisements have attracted interest as far as Europe. Bids are expected by the end of February 2016. This project will see land reclamation, and a boardwalk powered by renewable energy, all scheduled to be completed by next year. $2.520 billion dollars (are) allocated to this project.”

JOB CREATION
According to the Minister, each new development will see job creation and major economic input into the Regions at reference.
“It is our Government’s commitment that the residents and current users will be given first option to jobs and concessions,” Minister Patterson said.

He said, too, that under the DFID Fund, the Wismar Bridge and the Mahaicony Branch Road will be reconstructed, while the Parika to Goshen Road will be constructed in phases. “G$2.398B (have) been set aside under this fund to commence construction,” he added.

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the Minister said, will make a concerted effort to ensure that roads, bridges, energy, power generation and other infrastructural works in the various regions are expanded and developed.

INSPECTORATE DIVISION
The Minister announced that in an effort to restore confidence, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will continue to take steps to restore confidence by proposing the establishment of the Inspectorate Division to be implemented this year.

Patterson said, too, that the Guyana/Brazil hydropower initiatives will be vigorously pursued, as well as other smaller hydro-power units; Greater initiatives will be taken this year with regard to hinterland roads, airstrips, and bridges upgrades, as well as other infrastructural works, especially in the three new townships of Bartica, Lethem and Mabaruma.
He added that efforts will also be taken to carry out studies to build the Southern Corridor in a phased approach. “The continuation of the works of the National Task Force, coupled with the work of the Georgetown Restoration Project, will also be a priority,” Patterson added, noting that those are only a few projects aimed at restoring confidence.

AIRPORT EXPANSION
Minister Patterson said that with $5.2B allocated to the continued development of the air services industry, $4.450B of that sum have been budgeted for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Government, towards the end of 2015, made some changes to the project scope, and expects the project to be completed by 2017.
The Public Infrastructure Minister disclosed that the CJIA Expansion project will now see the existing terminal building being renovated and extended, the runway being extended to the same length on both sides, and the construction of one Code E remote parking position.

GPL AND SAVINGS
The subject minister noted that the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has experienced a number of challenges in relation to service delivery. As such, in an effort to address the issues, the Ministry of Public infrastructure has installed a new Board, and moved towards supporting the Electrification Programme with a loan of US$5M from the IDB.

Meanwhile, with the increase in rebate by GPL from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, residential, commercial, and industrial consumers will benefit, as of April 1, 2016. “For residential consumers, totalling 166,000, the benefit is expected to be $7,000 each. Meanwhile, for commercial consumers, which number at 10,000, and industrial consumers, which number at 7,000, the benefits are expected to be $36,000 each, and $1.5M each, respectively. The average saving is $17,000 each. These savings are anticipated to boost productivity,” said Patterson.

Under the Power Utility Upgrade Programme, the Government has entered into an agreement with the IDB to strengthen GPL’s management capabilities; operational efficiency; and infrastructure investments for loss reduction.

The programme will be executed at a cost of US$64.573
“This programme will entail a number of activities, including the hiring of a consultancy firm to help GPL improve its performance in key business areas; the development of oversight and accountability mechanism; consultancy to change corporate culture and modernise management; and the acquisition of meters, accessories, and tools for baseline information and monitoring,” Minister Patterson told the National Assembly.

The existing policy requires the Government to fund the infrastructure for expansion in unserved communities. However, by virtue of an agreement with the Ministry of Finance, GPL will now be required to finance some of the expansion works.

“To this end, during 2016, over 650 house lots will be provided with electricity for the first time, at a cost of approximately $70M. Other areas will be examined and implemented during the year,” the Minister announced.