LESS than two years ago, after President, Dr Irfaan Ali in his inauguration speech passionately called on all Guyanese to come together to peacefully transition the country to a pathway of economic and social development, Guyana has been experiencing a new wave of development.

Since then, the government has been on a progressive schedule to transform the physical outlook of the country with an all-inclusive infrastructural programme.
In its landmark $552 billion budget presented by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and approved this year by Parliament, approximately $126 billion will be utilised from the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) for the first time. A four-fold path to transformation was declared by the government and the indefatigable Vice-President, Dr. Bharat Jagdeo, in outlining this framework for the future, emphasised that great attention will be placed on education, healthcare, infrastructure and the non-oil sectors to ensure the prosperity of Guyana long after oil is no more.

No wonder, the largest portion of the budget, $96.1 billion, was allocated to the Ministry of Public Works under the watchful eyes of Minister Bishop Juan Edghill, of which, $76 billion was budgeted for roads and bridges and $12 billion for housing.

The transition from brick roads to pitched (bituminous/asphalted) roads played a pivotal role in speeding up of travel, trade, transportation and communication links, throughout the country in all the regions. The Soesdyke-Linden 45-mile highway was a major break-through to link the hinterland and the three counties. Work started in 1966 and it was opened in 1969, costing some US$17M to build. It was rehabilitated by the PPP/C Government in 1997-1999 at a cost of US$6.6M.

The East Bank Demerara Public Road made it easy to go to the airport, while the East Coast Demerara road relieved the headache of travelling from Georgetown to Rosignol. The Berbice Public Road runs from New Amsterdam to Crabwood Creek and onwards. Essequibo Coast Public Road connects Adventure to Charity. The West Coast Demerara Public road stretches from Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika and the West Bank Public road from Vreed-en-Hoop to Patentia.

Maintenance and upgrading works are factored in this year’s schedule for all these roads. “Key allocations include provisions of: $8.3 billion for the rehabilitation of the Corentyne Main Road from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek; $6 billion for the 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,” the Finance Minister had stated in his budget presentation.

Recently, the $2.6 billion Mandela to Eccles four-lane highway was commissioned by President Ali, who spoke with great fervour on the occasion.
“I guarantee you that every drop of blood in my system and in the government system, we will get it done with those who are ready to come on board, and work and push so that Guyana, not a section of Guyana, so that Guyana could be uplifted.”

A 56-kilometre road linking the new proposed sight for the Demerara Harbour Bridge will be built from Schoonard to Parika and will then connect all the way to Bartica. In his vision for foresight and easing traffic congestion, the President recently announced a 3.5 miles four-lane highway to be built to connect Crane to Schoonard.

With the government’s commitment to improving rural, urban and the hinterland roadways to bolster traffic, tourism and communication network, the town of Linden in Region 10 will also undergo a massive $600 million road rehabilitation exercise.

A five-mile road in Bartica, Region Seven, has been completed. Paving is underway on the Canal Number Two Road in Region Three while the local road to Leonora market will commence shortly as indicated by Minister Deodat Indar.

Earlier this month, contracts to the sum of $5.57 billion were signed for the construction and upgrade of roads and bridges in the hinterland. Construction on a two-way lane, 122 km. highway from Linden to Lethem to improve travelling and trading between Guyana and Brazil will commence shortly.

While close to $1 billion has been allocated for the upkeep and maintenance of the aged Demerara Harbour Bridge, (5th largest floating bridge in the world), $21.1 billion has been ear marked for the construction of a brand-new bridge. The sight proposed will be Nandy Park in the East end and Schoonard on the West side. The bridge will not require any opening or retraction for maritime traffic.

At the recent outreach visit in Berbice where the government will be investing some $10.8 Billion to develop the region, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), Phillips reminded the nation of one of the objectives of the government saying, “We are a government that is focused on developing Guyana, developing all the communities in Guyana.”

At the opening ceremony of the TechnipFMC Georgetown service base oil and gas support facility last Tuesday at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara, performing the functions of the President, Phillips stated, “In every country’s success, its people must be involved. Its people must be able to feel the success as their own and reap the benefits of that success. Ownership and inclusion of a country’s people are imperative not only for the country’s development but for the social and economic betterment of citizens.”

With the oil and gas industry developing to propel Guyana as one of the richest nations in the world per capita, it is easy to see why tourism will also flourish as a booming industry and investors are being encouraged to come to this shore.

This message was delivered to the world in London by President Ali. The need for proper roads, highways and bridges cannot be over emphasised and this government is certainly acting with foresight with so many physical infrastructure programmes being undertaken.