MINISTER of Housing and Water Collin Croal has expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding during the construction of the four-lane interconnection (Red Road) between the East Bank Public Road and the Heroes Highway.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister Croal emphasised the significant scale of the development, highlighting that such projects cannot be completed overnight.
Minister Croal acknowledged the high expectations of the public, but stressed that the government’s primary goal is to enhance the lives of all Guyanese through robust and enduring infrastructure.

“Even though we are working to ensure that we give our people better roads and infrastructure, we are very watchful in making sure that these roads are built to withstand the weight and pressure that will be on them on a daily basis,” he stated.
Quality remains a top priority for the government, as Minister Croal pointed out. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the infrastructure can endure weather conditions and the constant use by heavy-duty machinery and trucks. “While we are looking at the contractors to complete the work in the allotted time that is agreed upon, we have to also look at the quality of work that is being done. It is not fair to us as a government and for the people to deal with substandard work after huge investments,” he explained.
The rapid growth of Guyana has motivated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government to continue its mission of widening roads to support national development and international trade. Minister Croal highlighted that the temporary inconveniences caused by road construction are a necessary part of improving the overall quality of life.

“Not trying to justify anything here, but we have to be real with ourselves, anywhere in the world. As long as there is infrastructural development of this volume, people are going to be inconvenienced. However, the bright side to that is knowing that when all of the work is completed, hundreds of thousands of people will benefit from improved and enhanced access to these road networks,” he said.
Minister Croal also noted the interconnected nature of the road projects, mentioning that the new roads are linked with the development of the overpass for the Demerara Harbour Bridge. These access points will facilitate smoother connections to the East Coast of Demerara.

Despite the government’s strict oversight, Minister Croal praised the dedication of contractors and their collaborative efforts with utility companies. The road-widening project required the relocation of Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) pipelines and utility cables, among other challenges. “These types of work require skills; it is not just about digging up the sides of the roads. And I must say that we are also concreting the drains, which will also bring ease to the residents, as well as the businesses in the area,” he added.
The completion of the Red Road project promises to bring significant improvements to Guyana’s infrastructure, in terms of enhancing connectivity and supporting the country’s continued growth. Minister Croal’s message to the public is clear: The benefits of these developments will far outweigh the temporary inconveniences, thereby leading to a better quality of life for all.