–along East Bank Demerara corridor, with commissioning of critical piece of infrastructure
–police outposts, cameras to be paramount in efforts to manage, monitor traffic

AS Guyana’s landscape continues to be transformed owing to the aggressive developmental works being rolled out by the government, President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Saturday announced that the Eccles-Mandela Avenue four-lane highway will see innovative technologies in place to aid in safety and security.

Speaking at the commissioning of the Eccles-Mandela highway and Haags Bosch roundabout, the Head of State said that this critical piece of infrastructure indicates one of the many ways in which the government aims to enhance the lives of all Guyanese.

As the fountain lit up and displayed a kaleidoscope of colours, the President said, “This design is one that we take great pride in.”
Dr. Ali noted that the metamorphosis that the country is currently undergoing cannot be completed with just developmental works, but it must be supported by a change in the behavioural pattern of ordinary Guyanese.

While reiterating that one must have pride when it comes to their homeland, the President said, “A lot of this work that we’re doing, sometimes the softer side of the work is not understood,” adding that the facilities such as this aid in beautifying Guyana.

Touting a new form of security that will be implemented, President Ali revealed that the four-lane highway will be monitored by cameras, which will issue tickets to drivers who disobey traffic laws.

This allows the system to automatically identify traffic violations and dispatch email notifications containing traffic tickets to drivers, based on customised criteria. Notably, the system’s reliability is enhanced by its error-free performance and 24/7 functionality.

Dr. Ali said that Guyana is also moving away from traditional police stations and is heading towards the path of utilizing mobile police outposts.
“So, for this highway, because of the community that is connected to Eccles, you will see a lot of motorbike support, and a lot of ATV support.”

He further added, “So this is part of building national pride. It is part of modernizing our country. It is part of transforming our thinking. It is part of transforming our mindset. It is part of positioning our thought process to understand that we can be the best. We can be among the best and we could do things done that can be ranked with the best.”
Speaking more on the Eccles-Mandela Avenue highway, he said that the junction will connect the East Coast of Demerara with the Ogle by-pass road, Georgetown with the Mandela by-pass road, Eccles by-pass and the Peter’s Hall by-pass roads.

The Head of State reminded Guyanese that it is their responsibility to protect their assets.
“As Guyanese, we ought not only to benefit from these developments and feel a sense of pride, but we have the important duty and responsibility of protecting our assets, protecting these facilities [and] ensuring that we all contribute in keeping it in the best possible condition.”

With these massive beautification projects being established, President Ali emphasized that Guyana is heading in the direction of ensuring that safety on the roadways is being met through state-of-the-art technologies.

The President also revealed that by 2027, most of the nation’s infrastructural works will be done by Guyanese, owing to the local contracting pool being developed.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) included the four-lane highway from Georgetown to Timehri in its 2020-2025 manifesto under the heading, “Infrastructure Boom: Building for the Future.”

The party gave its commitment that it will revolutionise the outdated infrastructure in Guyana and initiate work on several transformative infrastructural projects, all in order to provide a flourishing economy.

In December 2021, 12 contractors signed contracts for more than $13 billion to construct the Eccles to Great Diamond interlink road, which will link the Eccles to Mandela Avenue four-lane highway.

Upon its completion, it is expected that more than 22,000 households and the growing volume of commercial users will directly benefit from the new infrastructure.