THE concept of “building from the bottom up” comes to mind when pondering upon Guyana’s infrastructural progress over the past decades, as the country moved from a stage where persons would see their reflections in puddles along mud dams, to now seeing it on gigantic buildings during a casual walk around Georgetown and even along the city’s outskirts.

At just 56 years old, independent Guyana has much to be proud of and much to appreciate, especially as it regards the transformation of the country’s infrastructure, be it roads, bridges, houses, office spaces, business centres, hotels and much more.

The country’s infrastructural advancement is primarily a result of strategic decisions and investments made by successive People’s Progressive Part/Civic (PPP/C) governments, dating back to as long as 1992, when the then Cheddi Jagan-led administration ascended to office, bringing to an end 28 years of economic stagnation under the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Given Guyana’s geography and dispersed communities, the PPP/C has long recognised that infrastructural development is essential to the growth of the local economy. Therefore, through a thorough national physical plan, the political party has stressed the importance of a methodical approach to the development of the physical infrastructure, in which the approach to infrastructure development is informed by economic and social factors.

Successive PPP/C governments have demonstrated that they understand that trade is made possible by infrastructure, which also powers enterprises, connects employees to their employment, provides chances for underdeveloped communities, and shields the country from a more unpredictable natural environment.

Infrastructure is essentially the foundation of a strong economy and includes both public and private investments, especially those made in roads, water systems, internet networks, energy projects, and pipelines.
In Guyana, it is now a case of what hasn’t been done will be done. The country boasts massive four-lane highways along the East Coast of Demerara, East Bank of Demerara and West Coast of Demerara; a modern airport; massive housing schemes; hotels and buildings stretching, in some case, 10 storeys high—something uncommon to locals who have only seen such structures on television or when they travel to a developed nation—and the list doesn’t stop there.

One of the most recent additions to the country’s infrastructural landscape is the eye-catching Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre at Kingston.
Proprietor, Robert Badal, in acknowledging his success, said the area which was once a dumpsite for over 50 years, now houses two magnificent buildings comprising 100 executive suites on this 12-story Atlantic tower and 180,000 square feet of grade A corporate offices and restaurants on the adjacent seven-story tower, all surrounded by well-manicured lawns.

The intricate and elegant structure amazed even President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, who, at the launch of the facility on Wednesday evening, described the project as iconic and transformational, and said that no Guyanese living 30 years ago would imagine that such a project could have been possible here.

He even went a step further by saying: “This is an example of how to do it right,” and encouraging the local private sector to think positive and be ready to make changes to their business models in order to capitalise on opportunities that will flow from the country’s economic advancement.

Some stakeholders have already taken this step, and this is evidenced by the recent sod-turning ceremonies for the multibillion-dollar Pasha Global, Four Points and AC Marriott hotels.
While the government has been creating an environment that would be encouraging for such investments, it has also been doing its part in the area of accommodation by building and allotting houses at a cost that is affordable to any income bracket, and allocating house lots to encourage the construction of houses and other facilities.

Access to adequate housing has long been viewed as a basic human right, and is considered an integral factor for the enjoyment of other economic, social and cultural rights. And, with Guyana’s economy poised to quadruple in the coming years, the government has started establishing the conditions for Guyanese, especially from the low and middle-income brackets, to have access to adequate housing.

Some 50,000 house lots are expected to be distributed over the next five years, averaging 10,000 house lots per year.
More of what the government intends to do will be outlined over the next three days at the National Stadium, where the Ministry of Housing and Water is hosting Building Expo 2022. The expo is expected to also create an avenue for companies to showcase innovative products and techniques in the construction and housing sectors.

This is seen as timely, since Guyana’s vibrant construction industry is expected to grow by 10.5 per cent. Stakeholders will be keen on participating in and observing the process, especially if they want to remain relevant as Guyana enters a new frontier of development.