THE Ministry of Housing and Water (MoHW) and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), on Friday, hosted an “Inter-agency Coordination Committee Consultation Session” in relation to the construction of the four-lane roadway from Mandela to Eccles.
Some $1 billion has been allocated in 2021 national budget to commence work on the vital road project.
Stretching 2.8km in length and 3.5m in width, the major access road will include a dual carriageway of two lanes each, and the highway is scheduled to be completed by November 2021. The project is the brainchild of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and it is expected to bring much-needed relief to the thousands affected by traffic congestion on the East Bank Demerara.

Speaking at Friday’s event, CHPA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sherwayne Greaves, underlined that given the magnitude and significance of the project, collaboration between a number of necessary agencies will be crucial to the project’s realisation.
“The success of any programme depends on all the agencies working together because if we’re running a road, there could be instances where GWI needs to move some pipes, we might need GPL to shift some poles, or we may need the help of the NDCs. So bringing all of these stakeholders together will ensure that going forward we don’t run into any hiccups and everything runs smoothly and efficiently,” Greaves related.

Agencies with representatives attending Friday’s event include the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Fire Service (GFS), the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), among others.

Traffic congestion on the East Bank Demerara during rush hour has been a bugbear for many residents on the East Bank and West Bank of Demerara for some years now, due to increase of residential housing schemes in those areas. There have been continuous calls from commuters for an alternative road network to help alleviate the situation. The project is being executed under the CHPA, instead of under the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) since the project is not simply about providing a new roadway but emphasis is placed on how the roadway will now open up several acres of land which the CHPA will be using for housing and commercial developments. According to Greaves, it is estimated that approximately 500 – 600 acres of land will become accessible through this project.
Also speaking at Friday’s event, Housing Minister, Colin Croal, who joined the event virtually, remarked that infrastructure development, is a crucial element of the government’s macro vision for the country’s development and the opening up of avenues for transformation in the housing, business and other sectors.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Junior Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues.
“Infrastructure development plays a vital role in the enhancement and development of our country, and to improving the standard of living for Guyanese. Our concern at the Ministry of Housing is the opening up of new lands, and with this infrastructure development comes the opening up of new lands and more prospects of land used for housing development,” Rodrigues commented. She also emphasised the need for consultations between the varying agencies to ensure the successful completion of the project. “Even though the agencies may have competing interest, we all have to work together because the goal here is to enhance the lives of Guyanese and to ensure that the ordinary people do not miss out on the transformation and benefits that are to come to our country,” Rodrigues said.