–Public Works Minister says

MINISTER of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill has reiterated the government’s commitment to community consultation regarding infrastructural projects across Guyana, to ensure that citizens have a meaningful say in shaping their nation’s future.
During a recent community stakeholder consultation held at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute at Cove and John, Minister Edghill highlighted the government’s policy of ensuring there are consultations with communities before, during, and after infrastructural projects.

The meeting focused on the second phase of the public road-widening and improvement project from Annandale to Mahaica, and expansion of the Railway Embankment from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, which are set to significantly impact communities along the East Coast of Demerara.
In his address to residents of those areas, Minister Edghill said: “The government’s policy as it relates to consulting with citizens is this: we don’t believe in bullying, we don’t believe in just showing up and people not knowing what is going on, so we consult.”

He underscored the importance of engaging communities and keeping residents informed about the projects that might affect their daily lives in the short term.
The Public Works Minister acknowledged the rapid pace and scale of development in Guyana, noting: “Simultaneously, there are several major projects happening at the same time.”
He said that this reality necessitates an even more proactive and regular approach to consultations with the public, in order to ensure that no community is left behind in the process of national transformation.

During the consultation, project consultant of the engineering company, Boston Consulting Incorporated, and the manager of China Railway First Group (Guy.) Inc., presented detailed information about the upcoming infrastructural projects.
The objective was to provide the residents with a comprehensive understanding of the scope, benefits, and potential impact on their communities.

After the presentations, Minister Edghill encouraged open dialogue and feedback from the audience, particularly from residents of neighbouring areas such as Haslington and Golden Grove.
He said that the government values the citizens’ input and concerns, since their voices matter in shaping these projects that will affect their lives and the future of Guyana.
Throughout the session, Minister Edghill reassured the gathering that the government remains committed to ensuring that residents will not face displacement due to the infrastructural developments.

He said that the projects are designed to benefit not only the immediate communities but the entire nation, adding: “Guyana is being modernised and transformed, and I think all of us know, but what we don’t know is the rate of that modernisation.”
The event concluded with Minister Edghill expressing gratitude for the constructive feedback received from the residents.

He affirmed that the government’s policy of consultation will continue to be a cornerstone of all major infrastructural initiatives in Guyana.
The projects will include extension of the Railway Embankment Road into four lanes from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, extension of the main East Coast roadway from Orange Nassau to Mahaica, as well as rehabilitation of the existing East Coast Demerara Road from Belfield to Orange Nassau, which will allow for additional lanes.

This will also see the construction of 48 bridges and 22 culverts, and another bridge across the Hope Canal. The loan for the project is being provided by the Exim Bank of China.
Phase I of the project was done during the previous term of the People’s Progressive Party /Civic Government (PPP/C) and included the extension of the East Coast Demerara main road.
In 2014, the Government of Guyana awarded the contract to China Railway First Group Company Limited and a few years later, Guyana and China signed a $9.6 billion (US$45.5 million) concessional loan for completion of the widening of the road between Better Hope and Belfield.
This year, over $150 billion has been set aside in Budget 2023 for the advancement of major infrastructural projects across the country.