To foster economic development, Government has been expending resources towards the enhancement of transportation infrastructure across the country. The advancement of this sector has seen the construction, restoration and rehabilitation of many roads and bridges.
Through a budgetary allocation of $10.8B, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications will commence works to improve transport infrastructure this year.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn is pleased that the expenditure for 2010 is close to that of the 2009 amount of $11B.
Minister Benn further noted that the “Ministry had anticipated some works for 2010 in 2009 because some funding became available, and secondly we had the good fortune to have gotten good weather over the past six or more months, so we had taken advantage of those and our projects have proceeded very well last year
Government has made a budgetary allocation of $7.6B for the development of roads and bridges since they provide important access to agricultural and other productive areas. They link these with major market centres, provide connectivity between and within residential areas, reduce cost and travel time, increase convenience to businesses and residents, reduce congestion, improve safety and market efficiency, and provide new economic opportunities.
The Minister noted that the construction of roads in the rice cultivating areas of Black Bush Polder and West Canje, Berbice are of priority. When completed, these roads will assist farmers to have easier access to market facilities. The 2010 budget has provided $1B for the construction of the all-weather road in Black Bush Polder.
The Ministry will continue works under the urban and miscellaneous road project throughout urban centres particularly around Georgetown and Linden. It was indicated that miscellaneous road works will be done on the Coast.
“An intensive programme encompassing the construction of over 200 roads are being built throughout the Coast and the urban and miscellaneous roads will added to them,” Minister Benn stated.
Additionally, Government will be continuing its hinterland roads programme which saw a number of roads being constructed last year, particularly in Region 9. Roads from Linden to Lethem and Linden to Kwakwani/Ituni were completed.
“Roads are being done in the North-West district and it is anticipated this year there will be improvements of the roads going to Garraway Stream along to the road going to the Paruni River and beyond,” Minister Benn said.
Government will be continuing its bridge rehabilitation programme on the East Bank and East Coast Demerara. The Minister noted that Jackson Creek Bridge which failed last year will undergo repairs and works will be done on bridges in the Essequibo district.
The 2010 budget has also provided the sum of $700.5M to continue financing the upgrading of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. It will allow for the procurement of deck units, servicing of pontoons, replacement of the hydraulic ramp, and fabrication of distribution and transom beams and buoys.