PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s announcement of Guyana’s national economic growth and infrastructure plan marks a significant moment for the country.
Nearly US$10 billion is set for investment in Wales and Berbice alone. With projections of 1.3 million barrels of oil production daily by 2030, the government hopes that rapid industrial growth and infrastructure improvements will help Guyana evolve from merely an oil-producing nation to a regional economic leader.
However, amid this exciting vision is a tough truth: ambition without discipline and skill is an expensive illusion. The infrastructure plan is truly impressive. The Wales Development Zone will host gas-to-energy projects, fabrication facilities, and industrial zones. Meanwhile, Berbice will become the heart of a secondary energy network, complete with a deep-water port and extensive gas pipeline system.
The proposed bridges—the Berbice River crossing, the Corentyne River link to Suriname, and wider four-lane highways through different regions—promise to turn geography into economic opportunity. When explained clearly, these projects hold real value, positioning Guyana as a key infrastructure hub in South America with true regional integration potential.
Yet, President Ali’s own cautious words should be taken seriously: “We cannot afford to be swept away by the tide of optimism.” History is full of examples of resource-rich countries that wasted their wealth through poor management, corruption, or the creation of useless infrastructure that failed to deliver economic returns. The main question for Guyana is not whether its ambition matches the scale of oil revenues, but whether it can execute its plans as well as it speaks of them.
The President pointed out the biggest concern: the serious lack of skilled workers. The private sector’s main complaint is not about inadequate infrastructure or lack of capital, but about the shortage of qualified workers. No bridge, port, or industrial area works efficiently without a workforce that has technical skills, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to excellence.
This is not just a training issue. It is a cultural necessity that requires immediate and ongoing investment in technical education, vocational training, and merit-based growth in both public and private sectors.
Additionally, the government’s goal of turning oil wealth into useful assets—like roads, ports, energy infrastructure, and workforce development—must bring real benefits to everyday Guyanese.
Projects that mainly serve multinational companies while ignoring local communities risk creating anger instead of prosperity. The development agenda for Region Six, which includes facilities for childcare and elderly care, reflects a solid understanding that inclusive growth is essential.
The five-year timeline is incredibly tight, yet the President stated clearly: “it will get done.” That confidence must be supported by open governance, solid project management, and the political will to hold contractors and officials accountable.
The change Guyana envisions is achievable and reasonable. However, this administration needs to balance optimism with realism, combine ambition with responsibility, and remember that infrastructure is meant to serve the people. Guyanese should pay close attention as the government moves from planning to action.