MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, engaged members of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Wednesday to provide updates on Guyana’s extensive infrastructure development initiatives. The meeting, organised by the Chamber’s Petroleum Committee and chaired by Senior Vice President Kathy Smith, took place in the GCCI boardroom.

During his presentation, Minister Indar highlighted various aspects of ongoing and upcoming projects, including general infrastructure, energy systems, aviation facilities, transportation networks, the procurement system, oil and gas infrastructure, and government spending on development.
He noted that this year’s national budget allocation for infrastructure is the largest in the country’s history, reflecting a strong focus on expanding and improving road networks, especially in the interior regions. “When we have access into the interior, farmlands open up,” Minister Indar remarked, emphasising the economic benefits of improved connectivity.

The Minister also shared that over 5,000 community roads have been completed, underscoring the government’s commitment to using small, community-based contractors. This approach, he explained, ensures that local contractors are provided with opportunities to build capacity and compete fairly for projects.

Providing an update on the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, Minister Indar reported that the project is over 75 per cent complete, with significant progress being made to keep it on schedule. He also addressed concerns about the country’s energy challenges, citing overloaded transmission lines and increased demand driven by rapid construction. The deployment of a power ship, he explained, is a temporary solution to ease these constraints.
The session allowed GCCI members to raise questions and share concerns, fostering transparency and engagement between the government and the business community. Events like these are designed to keep stakeholders informed about national development initiatives and the opportunities they present.