With a pre-feasibility study already completed for the construction of a paved road from Georgetown to Brazil, Transport Minister Robeson Benn says that the figures being tossed up are still pretty high.   However,  some more work is being done by engineers in determining the feasibility of the road along with various clarifications.

The Transport Minister  in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle has indicated that the road could cost as much as US$250M but  the initial study suggests US$170M minus infrastructure such as bridges.
Benn,  whose portfolio includes Public Works and Transportation, reminded that it is still a “low volume road in terms of traffic and goods moved along it.”
According to Benn, “one will have to judge best time for a paved road to stimulate more trade…in the meantime we will have to maintain it.”
He did noted that the construction of the road is pinned to a number of other works and  there has always been talk of  “road, port and hydropower.”
In the meantime, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Power station is currently in its final stages of development in terms of financial closure while talks are still underway in relation to a deep water harbour.

Sea freight from  Linden
He  also said that there is the possibility of moving between seven and ten thousand tons of sea freight from the Linden area along the Demerara River.  He added that bauxite has for several years been shipped out of the locale using port Linden.
“A larger port will help matters,” said Benn but warned that “things will have to be invested and built up to get to that point.”
The Transport Minister used the opportunity to remind that at present while there are challenges, especially with floods, there is a road in place, allowing for transport from Georgetown to Lethem and onward to Brazil.
“The fact is that we have a road we are keeping in fairly good nick.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Ramotar  earlier this year, following a visit to neighbouring Brazil, had indicated that a technical team comprising persons from both countries would be established shortly to advance infrastructural works with regard to a road and deep water harbour.
At the opening of the border Takutu River Bridge, then Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva had announced his country’s commitment to finance the modalities for the road.