– New Gov’t complex to provide ease to citizens

– New completion date for Cemetery Road project

– Public Works Minister says

THE Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Wednesday approved some $236.1 billion set aside for the Ministry of Public Works in the 2024 National Budget for the continuation of the infrastructural expansion across the country.

The allocated funds will be utilised for various transformative infrastructure initiatives, such as the expansion of roads, bridges, and the construction of a new government complex.

As the allocations were being scrutinised, a large majority of the questions focused on the $1 billion sum set aside for the provision of the government complex and payment of retention.

In response to inquiries, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill indicated that the complex is projected to comprise four towers, each with a height of twelve storeys.

Providing an update, he mentioned that they had initially considered a 10-acre plot of land. However, upon reevaluating the connectivity network, they realised that choosing that location would exacerbate congestion rather than alleviate it.

Accordingly, he mentioned that they have successfully relocated the project to the newly constructed interlink road, situated approximately one kilometre away from the Eccles-Mandela interlink road and adjacent to the Jaguar monument.

He stated that this will enhance the accessibility of individuals from Berbice, the East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, and even Georgetown.

“The area that it is now located [is] more suitable for accessibility and we are now able to get 20 acres instead of 10 acres,” he said.

The building out of these towers he indicated is to optimise the use of space and bring ease of services to the people of the country. As such, he indicated that the geotechnical survey and other works at this new permanent site are currently ongoing.

Meanwhile, also provided for in this year’s budget, the minister said that the government has set sums aside for the relocation of residents in the path of the new Demerara River bridge.

During the consideration of estimates and expenditures, Edghill provided updates on some projects which include the East Bank-East Coast Demerara Road link project which he said is currently some 32 per cent completed.

Furthermore, he stated that this particular project has garnered the Ministry’s approval due to the contractor’s demonstrated commitment to timely execution.

In relation to the rehabilitation of the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, the Minister told the committee that as soon as the evaluation is completed and approvals are given, they can expect that the work be executed.

Further to this, when asked about the Cemetery Road expansion project, he told the house that based on the most recent evaluation, that project should be completed by the end of March this year.

The committee of supply subsequently approved all sums allocated to the Ministry of Public Works.