PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali’s meeting with East Bank Demerara road contractors on Sunday showcases the strong leadership Guyana needs as it faces significant development challenges in the oil era.

The sight of travellers leaving their vehicles at Land of Canaan to walk to the airport illustrates the severe mismanagement that led to the President’s intervention. When Guyanese citizens have to walk miles with luggage due to contractors failing to manage basic traffic flow, it shows that gentle reminders have not worked.

Ali’s meeting with the China Road & Bridge Corporation and Sheladia Associates Inc was not an overreach, it was a necessary call for accountability.

The President’s midnight inspection revealed serious contractor negligence. Finding only a few workers at 02:30hrs on a project that should operate around the clock exposes the complacency surrounding this US$75.8 million Inter-American Development Bank-funded project.

Ali’s demand for liquidated damages from all parties indicates that the time of cost overruns and timeline extensions without consequences is over.

With oil revenues changing the economy, the East Bank corridor plays a vital role in connecting the Cheddi Jagan International Airport to Georgetown, making traffic issues not just a hassle, but also economically harmful.

The President’s call for 24/7 drone surveillance and containerised traffic control systems shows that he understands modern problems need modern solutions.

Establishing emergency boat transport to the airport, while it may seem dramatic, reflects practical planning that previous administrations would not have considered. This strong backup plan ensures that international travellers, key to Guyana’s growing tourism and business sectors, can trust the country’s infrastructure.

Most importantly, Ali’s demand for updated work plans within 24 hours sends a clear message to international contractors: Guyana will no longer accept poor execution on high-quality projects. As the nation uses oil wealth to build top-tier infrastructures, the President’s firm approach sets standards that will benefit future development projects.

This confrontation ultimately shows Ali as a hands-on leader willing to address failures directly rather than hiding behind bureaucratic barriers.

At a time when Guyana must quickly modernise its infrastructure to meet its economic goals, this kind of presidential assertiveness is not just welcome; it is crucial for the country’s progress.