GUYANA’S government is guiding the country towards long-term prosperity with careful investment in infrastructure, which has been lauded by renowned economist Sir Paul Collier.
As the country experiences an economic boom as a result of oil discovery, the government’s focus on developing infrastructure is not only farsighted but imperative for sustainable growth.
The government’s plan is precisely as Sir Paul suggested, converting oil wealth into “permanent assets on the ground”.

It is a vision for the long term, realising that oil income is finite, and that the true path to sustainable prosperity is the development of the country’s physical and social infrastructure.
Those critics calling for straight cash transfers do not see the bigger picture. Whereas these transfers can afford short-run relief, they don’t produce the basis of enduring economic development.
As correctly put by Sir Paul, “You can eat, thanks to the highway and the road”, as they facilitate economic activity and the opening up of chances for the people to live as long as they can do some economic activities.

The government’s spending on roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects is not just about concrete and steel; it’s about realising new possibilities for trade, reducing transportation costs, and connecting communities.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s administration has made significant steps since 2020, not only in constructing physical infrastructure, but with a vision of development that encompasses the growth of human capital.
The focus on health, from training thousands of nurses to establishing healthcare facilities reflects an interest in developing human capital, as well as physical infrastructure. Balanced development is necessary in an effort to build a diversified and sustainable economy that will keep thriving long after the oil riches are depleted.

The New Demerara Harbour Bridge project is just the kind of vision one can expect from the government. The new, four-lane bridge with cycle lanes will take the place of the existing one, and provide toll-free travel. These are not projects that seek to decongest traffic alone; they are economic change drivers, which generate employment and catalyse development in the area.

While Guyana balances on the cusp of historic economic prosperity, the country’s infrastructure-based strategy is laying the groundwork for a rosy future. By investing oil revenues in tangible, long-lasting assets, Guyana is avoiding the pitfalls that have haunted other resource-rich countries, and instead building a platform for long-term sustainable development that will span generations.

Under scrutiny, the government can’t fail. The roads, bridges, and buildings being built today are the arteries through which Guyana’s future economic blood will flow. As Sir Paul affirms, this route is not only right; it is essential to convert Guyana’s new wealth into sustained well-being for all of its citizens.