MINISTER of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has said that several companies have prequalified by the Government of India to build the $10.4 billion Ogle to Eccles road. “We have received official notification that the companies for the building of the four-lane road from Ogle to Eccles have been prequalified by the Indian Government because it is financing from the Indian Exim Bank,” Minister Edghill said during his address at the ceremonial reopening of Hunter Street on Tuesday.
The minister noted that Guyana can now move forward to execute the final round of bidding, with the expectation of contract award by the last quarter of 2021.
“That road will continue with a four-lane from Eccles to Diamond, which is a different road you are hearing right now being built by the Ministry of Housing, and then we will continue from Diamond to Timehri with the intent of being able to link both airports,” Minister Edghill related. He said the massive undertaking is part of the government’s plan to improve access to new lands for housing, farming and business. Once completed, the road will also ease traffic woes along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), after being elected to office in August last year, retailored the project and saved taxpayers approximately US$158 million. In September 2020, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, said that the project’s cost had skyrocketed and was stalled under the former coalition administration. Minister Indar said the coalition had proposed connections at swampy locations in Mocha, making it difficult for the roadworks to be done. Funding was initially secured during PPP/C’s previous tenure. (DPI)