— with Budget 2022, says Minister Indar

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public works, Deodat Indar, has described the milestone $552.9 billion budget “people-centred”, noting that each project being implemented is designed to directly impact the lives of all Guyanese.

Budget 2022, he said, has several indicators of initiatives that will provide improved quality of life to all Guyanese.
The government has allocated the largest portion of Budget 2022 to the Ministry of Public works. A total of $96.1 billion has been allocated to the ministry, which is responsible for the country’s infrastructure.

Speaking directly to the ministry, Minister Indar noted that the allocation will ensure government improves the public infrastructure in the country, which will directly benefit individuals and the business community.

Some $29.4 billion has been allocated to the energy sector to rapidly accelerate Guyana’s transition to cleaner sources of energy while boosting capacity to meet the growing demand for affordable and stable electricity over the next five years.

This allocation, according to the minister, is set to see a major transformation in access to energy and electricity across the country, including the hinterland areas.

Region Nine, in particular, is set to see increased energy production with the construction of a 1.5 MW hydropower plant at Kumu, and rehabilitation and upgrade to 700 KW capacity of the defunct Moco Moco hydropower plant in Region Nine. Over $600M is budgeted for the construction of both projects in 2022.

Included in the allocation is $20.8 billion for the gas-to-energy project which will allow the government to phase out the use of expensive and carbon-intensive heavy fuel oil.

This project, which encompasses the establishment of a power plant to generate 300 megawatts (MWs) of power as well as a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant, will cover domestic demand and enable the government to reduce costs substantially, below the current levels.

The project also includes the construction of a 225 km 12” pipeline to transport the guaranteed minimum of 50 mmcfd of natural gas from offshore Guyana to the Wales Development Authority.

Currently, ongoing geotechnical and geophysical works for both offshore and onshore operations are advancing with several portions already completed.

“This project is designed to cut electricity by half. But they came to this House, the opposition, to block that very project denying Guyanese people cheaper energy, denying businesses cheaper energy, people should see what the APNU is doing, they are trying to stop development in this country but we will not allow it in the PPP/C Government,” said Minister Indar.

Some $1.4 billion is also allocated for 33-megawatt (MWs) solar farms for Berbice, Essequibo, and Linden.

ROADS
Minister Indar also noted that the budgetary allocation for this year will play a pivotal role in the government’s plans to modernise the infrastructure and provide a more accessible commute to and from communities

One of the larger road projects being undertaken by the ministry in 2022 is the $8.3 billion rehabilitation of the Corentyne Main Road from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek. Minister Indar noted that this project will not just provide ease of commute, but will also provide a significant number of jobs for the region.

“Mr Speaker that will employ a lot of sand, you have to get a lot of sand, a lot of loam and stone, a lot of workers, machine operators; a lot of people in Region Six will benefit from this project, it’s a massive project and it’s a big spend and it will increase the road and reduce the travel time.”

Other road projects in the 2022 budget include the $6 billion construction of the Linden-Mabura Hill Road; $3.4 billion for hinterland roads; $2.6 billion for the rehabilitation of the entire Soesdyke-Linden Highway; $2.3 billion for the East Bank-East Coast Demerara Road linkage between Ogle and Eccles and $1.1 billion to complete the Sheriff Street – Mandela Road Network and Expansion Project.

Significant monies were budgeted for 32 bridges in hinterland communities including $4.1 billion for the reconstruction of several bridges along the Kurupukari to Lethem corridor that will support the phased construction of the Linden-Lethem Highway.

Minister Indar disclosed that another major undertaking by the ministry in 2022 is the construction of the new, fixed four-lane high-span Demerara River Bridge for $21.1 billion.

He noted that this project which has been conceptualised for some time will significantly reduce the traffic time for persons traversing between Regions Three and Four, as well as along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

“If anybody is to calculate the amount of wait time people have when they come in the morning and have to go back in the afternoon, the economic loss to the country is huge. This bridge is not just fixing travel problem; it’s fixing other social problems. The time you take an hour and a half to get home, you could spend it teaching your child some homework,” he told the House.

Some $946 million has been budgeted for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the existing floating bridge.
Additionally, some $15.2 billion will go towards the construction and rehabilitation of additional urban and community roads.