MORE than $19.2B has been allocated to improving the country’s physical infrastructure, which will encompass works on roads and bridges, air and river transport, and sea and river defences. “As we move to modernise and transform our economies to meet our development agenda, our physical infrastructure plays an extremely pivotal role… Our focus is on creating efficient, safe and reliable, national…road network through the country, aimed at strengthening collectivity for human and national development,” Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh said during his recent presentation of the 2012 Budget.
He was emphatic that government was increasingly committed to improving the major arteries that link its hemispheric neighbours — Brazil and Suriname — whilst simultaneously creating linkages for the country’s productive sectors to facilitate expanded trade of goods and services.

Roads and Bridges Network
He said that for 2012, government will invest $11.8B to sustain and improve its network of roads and bridges. Of this sum, $10.9B will be spent on roads, and $964M on bridges.
“Of this amount, $1.3B will be expended on the completion of 30.5km of all-weather roads in Black Bush Polder, East and West Canje… $2.2B for the upgrade, modernisation and expansion of the Four-Lane Access Road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the Sheriff/Mandela Roadway… $5.5B is allocated to construct, rehabilitate and maintain urban, rural, community, and hinterland roads… $2.4B for the upgrade of 85km of existing roads, and construction of 110km of virgin roads from Mabura Hill Road to Amaila Falls… $545M for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of 20 critical structures from Belladrum to Rosignol, and for the rehabilitation of pontoons and cluster piles to extend the life of the Demerara Harbour Bridge,” Dr Singh said.

Air and River Transport
Noting that air and river transport infrastructure plays a crucial role in the economic progress of the country, Dr. Singh said that $4.5B has been budgeted for the upgrade, expansion, and modernisation of CJIA.
“$180M is budgeted for the rehabilitation of airstrips in Lethem, Imbaimadai and Ekereku Bottom, and the ongoing maintenance of the country’s 43 airstrips in Regions 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9… $68M will be expended for high frequency radio and security systems to improve air navigation services and safety… More than $717M is budgeted for the docking of vessels and acquisition of spares,” Dr. Singh said.

Sea and River Defence
Government continues to make significant investments to improve the stability of its natural and man-made sea defence structures for the protection of coastland and riverine areas. As such, $2.9B is budgeted for the continued protection of sea and river defences.
“Critical and emergency works will be carried out in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and the replanting, restoration and protection of 10km of mangrove is targeted for Regions 2, 3 and 4… Government will also continue to implement its five-year National Mangrove Management Action Plan for the protection of mangrove against human degradation,” the Finance Minister stated.
He explained that $2.7B was spent on critical and emergency works during 2011 to protect approximately 10km of sea defence in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Mangrove seedlings were also replanted in areas such as Hope, Mon Repos, and Triumph.
Additionally, $8.7B was expended during 2011 on construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of the country’s land transport network, which saw government making significant headway on noteworthy infrastructural development projects, such as the construction of all-weather roads in Black Bush Polder and in East and West Canje; the designs for widening Sheriff Street to Mandela Avenue and preparatory works for the widening of the East Coast Demerara Four-Lane Highway between Better Hope and La Bonne Intention; the widening of the East Bank Demerara Four-Lane Highway from Providence to Diamond; the upgrade of the CJIA access road; the rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of urban, rural and hinterland roads in all the regions; rehabilitation of access roads from Mabura Hill Road to Amaila Falls; upgrading of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, and installation of street lighting along main roads in Regions Two, Five and Six.