AS construction of the new Demerara River Bridge progresses steadily towards its August 2025 completion, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, has assured the public that no jobs will be lost as a result of the project.
During a media briefing on Sunday, Minister Edghill highlighted the timely advancement of works on the bridge, commending the construction teams for staying on schedule. He emphasised the government’s commitment to job creation, stating, “The PPP/C government is about creating jobs, not taking away jobs.”

Minister Edghill made it clear that there will be no disruption in employment for current bridge workers. “No one will be thrown to the curb,” he affirmed, while outlining the avenues available to workers post-construction. Employees will have the option to continue in similar positions within other agencies or locations, or receive their due benefits should they choose to part ways. These matters, he noted, will be addressed through the Public Service Ministry, relevant unions, and associated agencies.
The Public Works Minister also underscored the broader economic potential tied to the bridge’s development. Once completed, the bridge will link Schoonord to the Parika highway, creating seamless connectivity for commuters and commerce. Complementing this infrastructure, connector roads have already been awarded and are currently being developed.

In an exciting addition, Edghill revealed plans for a new port facility at Parika, which is currently open for tender. “Not just a stelling, but a port facility,” he stressed, noting the transformative potential of the project. “New lands will be opened, housing developments…people who are choked in Georgetown for space, for manufacturing and factories—everything will migrate, because you could get to home and get back in 15 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, depending on how you’re going.”

The Minister also addressed the redeployment of skilled bridge personnel, noting there will be no shortage of opportunities for their integration into ongoing infrastructure projects. “We’ve got mechanical engineers. We’ve got other engineers who run the whole bridge, who have served for many, many years. Those skills will be mopped up, from the moment that that is ready.”

He further pointed to recent hiring under the Special Projects Unit, which has recruited hundreds for roadworks, including clerks of works and drivers. “Some of those same people will go into an expansion of what is taking place in the ministry,” Edghill said, signalling a wider employment ripple effect stemming from the bridge’s completion.

Minister Edghill concluded that the new Demerara River Bridge is more than a transport link—it is a cornerstone of economic development, job creation, and regional transformation.