–highlights plans for second gas pipeline, deep-water port, bridges as new economic hubs to drive expansion in Berbice
Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is preparing for an unprecedented wave of industrial expansion, as government advances plans for a second gas pipeline, a deep-water port, new training institutions and major infrastructural upgrades, according to Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.
In an interview broadcast on Thursday evening on the National Communications Network (NCN) Berbice, Dr Singh said the region is on the cusp of transformation over the next five years, with energy-led development expected to unlock new industries and large-scale investment.
A major catalyst for transformation is the proposed second gas pipeline, which is expected to land at the mouth of the Berbice River. Dr Singh said the impact of such a development would be far reaching.
“One can only imagine the level and scale and scope of economic activity that will be triggered once that gas pipeline, or even in anticipation of that gas pipeline landing at the mouth of the Berbice River,” he said.
The project is expected to mirror the similar industrial momentum seen at the Wales gas-to-energy (GtE) plant.
Guyana’s industrial vision for Berbice requires a reliable, long-term supply of natural gas, not just associated gas from oil fields. Longtail, set to start production in 2031, will be the country’s first non-associated gas development, but its volumes will need to be supplemented with what Haimara and Pluma could supply. Those fields are expected to represent the backbone of the Berbice industrial development strategy
The emerging plan involves laying a subsea pipeline from these fields to Berbice, creating a reliable, high-volume gas supply that can support power generation, heavy industry, petrochemical processing, and the proposed 2-GW data centre.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali has stated plainly that he is “not willing to push monetisation beyond 2030,” indicating that his administration expects the gas-development decision to be made within his constitutional term, which ends in 2031.
“You’re going to have over the course of the next five years, you will have an entire wave of industrial activity taking place in Region Six and in Region Five, including, like I said, the generation of enough power, potentially to process bauxite, potentially to have data centres, to have major agro-processing activities, and any other industries that are dependent on electricity and on energy,” he said.
Additionally, Region Six will continue to undergo infrastructural upgrades and it is on that note that the minister explained the benefits, including bolstering connectivity, that will result from the new Berbice River Bridge.
He explained that the construction of a new bridge is crucial in matching the capacity that will stem from the impending major industrial activity in the region. Funds have been earmarked in budget 2026 for the construction of that bridge.
The new Berbice River Bridge will be a massive, modern structure quite similar to the new Demerara crossing. The new bridge is expected to replace the floating structure built in 2008.
Additionally, farm-to-market roads are being upgraded throughout the region, minister Singh said, noting that the intention is to open up 10s of 1000s of acres of new agricultural land.
Dr Singh further highlighted ongoing collaboration between Guyana and Suriname on the long-anticipated Corentyne River Bridge, which is expected to significantly boost cross-border trade, tourism and connectivity.
“We are keen to do it, and we believe our counterparts in Suriname are also keen to build a bridge across the Corentyne River that too will generate economic activity,” he said.
These projects aim to connect the Berbice River to Linden and Lethem, ultimately linking Region Six to northern Brazil and deepening cross-border trade.
Last year, President Ali and Suriname’s President, Dr Jennifer Geerlings-Simons met in Nickerie, Suriname, to discuss bilateral initiatives aimed at strengthening trade, tourism and regional connectivity.
At the centre of discussions was the long-anticipated bridge over the Corentyne River, a project the two leaders described as transformative for both nations.
During a press briefing following the meeting, President Ali underscored the bridge’s “timely advancement of the transformative potential for trade, tourism, connectivity, and people-to-people exchanges.”
He emphasised that both governments are committed to close collaboration to resolve remaining legal, technical, and financial matters.
The Guyana-Suriname bridge, once completed, is expected to be a key link in fostering stronger ties among South American and Caribbean nations, boosting trade flows and unlocking untapped tourism opportunities. China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is set to construct the US$236 million project over the Corentyne River.
Designed to last 100 years, the bridge, which will span approximately 3.1 kilometres, is set to connect Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname, with a landing point on Long Island in the Corentyne River.
Dr Singh also pointed to major development plans for Palmyra, which he described as a future economic hub for Region Six. Planned investments include a major stadium, commercial mall, international hotels, housing schemes, a national cultural market and a new airport to support business and tourism growth.
“Palmyra is going to be a major hub of economic activity,” the minister stated, underscoring government’s commitment to balanced national development and the creation of new growth poles beyond the coastland centres.
