Building hinterland infrastructure

ON August 28, 2015, President David Granger, in his address to the National Toshao’s Council meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, emphasised the importance of hinterland development. The Head of State noted that the hinterland comprised three-quarters of Guyana’s territory.

As such, there can be no national progress in the absence of hinterland development. His Excellency noted, too, that for too long the hinterland had been neglected [under the PPP regime]. President Granger said that “The hinterland must not any longer be regarded as ‘bush’ but as part of ‘One Nation.” One example of the administration keeping its word with regard to hinterland development is the ongoing work being done in the Potaro-Siparuni region.

Potaro-Siparuni’s capital town of Mahdia was established in 1884 by freed slaves as a gold and diamond mining area. Since then, the population of the community has grown steadily as Brazilians, Dominicans, St Lucians and others have made Mahdia their home.

Unfortunately — as is typical of the PPP—in spite of the growth of the settlement, it was totally neglected, as were other hinterland towns. It was only after the APNU+AFC coalition was elected in 2015 that hinterland communities such as Mahdia began to receive the governmental attention that they deserved, and to which they are entitled. For one thing, the APNU+AFC administration declared Mahdia a town on October 25, 2018, making it the fourth capital town established by government.

As government continues to focus on hinterland development, the residents of all hinterland regions, including those of the Potato-Siparuni region, continue to benefit from numerous visionary programmes and creative initiatives.

For example, since the establishment of Mahdia in 1884, the roadways have been comprised of laterite, a muddy material that was washed away every time there was rainfall. However, after only three years in office, the APNU+AFC administration has, to date, paved some 80 per cent of Mahdia’s roads with reinforced concrete designed to last for at least 30 years. And the work continues unabated.

A sum of some $107 million has been allocated to extend the Mahdia Road by more than 500 metres, which would bring the paved roadway closer to the airstrip. Government has said that it intends to pave the entire town in a phased and organised way so as to ensure high-quality work.

Other aspects of the region’s infrastructure are also being addressed; $27 million has been assigned to extend the Mahdia Primary School. The students of the Chinapow Primary School will soon benefit from a $33 million expansion. A road linking Mahdia with Paramakatoi will be built at a cost of $70 million, thereby making it easier for residents to transport goods and access services. Additionally, four high- quality concrete bridges are being constructed in the North Pakaraimas; those too, at a total cost of some $98 million, will do much to improve the quality of life of residents of the various villages.

The work being carried out in the Potaro-Siparuni region is but one example of infrastructural development projects being done throughout the country. Such initiatives will have the direct effect of connecting communities, establishing the conditions for economic development, and creating secure jobs for all Guyanese.

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