– says Region Three Private Sector Inc
HEAD of the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSInc), Halim Khan, has praised President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet for what he described as a “remarkable demonstration of leadership through action” following the recent Government’s extensive outreach across Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), where several major infrastructure and social development projects were commissioned.
Khan said the President’s direct engagement with residents of more than 60 villages and communities across the Essequibo Coast, coupled with the commissioning of critical public infrastructure, underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring that development reaches every corner of Guyana.
“This is how communities are strengthened, when leaders show up, listen to the concerns of citizens, and deliver tangible results,” Khan said. “The outreach to the Cinderella County demonstrates a governance model that places people at the centre of development and ensures that no region is left behind.”
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and members of Cabinet commissioned the new Anna Regina Stadium, the upgraded Anna Regina/Mainstay Airstrip, the Manawarin Health Centre, teachers’ living quarters at Tapakuma, and the Onderneeming Health Bond during the two-day outreach exercise.
The President and his ministers also held direct engagements with residents throughout the region, hearing concerns and outlining future development plans.
Khan, who has consistently advocated for infrastructure investment and private sector expansion, said the commissioning of the upgraded $221 million Anna Regina Airstrip represents one of the most significant recent investments in improving connectivity and economic opportunities on the Essequibo Coast.
“The revitalisation of the Anna Regina Airstrip is transformational,” he stated. “Improved connectivity creates new opportunities for tourism, agriculture, hospitality, trade and investment. These are the types of projects that stimulate economic activity and create long-term benefits for communities.”
The upgraded facility, located at Mainstay/Whyaka, features a 2,000-foot by 50-foot runway and is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Region Two and Georgetown while providing a faster and more reliable alternative to river transportation.
The project forms part of the Government’s broader strategy to strengthen transportation infrastructure and unlock economic potential across the country.
Residents and community leaders have welcomed the development, noting that the airstrip, originally constructed in 1959 through community labour, carries deep historical significance and has long been viewed as critical to the region’s future growth.
Local stakeholders believe the upgraded facility will stimulate business activity, enhance tourism, and provide improved access to education, employment and healthcare services.
Khan noted that improved transportation infrastructure has historically served as a catalyst for private sector expansion and regional economic growth.
“When government invests in connectivity, the private sector gains confidence to invest, entrepreneurs find new opportunities, and communities become more attractive destinations for commerce and tourism,” he said.
He pointed specifically to the anticipated benefits for the tourism industry, including increased accessibility to destinations such as Lake Mainstay Resort and community-owned accommodations throughout the region.
The R3PSInc Head also commended the Government’s investment in healthcare infrastructure, particularly the commissioning of the new $30 million Manawarin Health Centre and the completion of a further $30 million in staff living quarters, describing the initiative as evidence of a development agenda that balances economic growth with social advancement.
The new facilities are expected to benefit approximately 500 residents in Manawarin and surrounding communities while improving the retention of healthcare workers serving the indigenous riverine community. Designed to withstand seasonal flooding, the elevated health centre includes examination facilities, an observation area, vaccine storage, maternal and child healthcare services, a fully stocked pharmacy, and telemedicine capabilities linking patients with specialists at regional hospitals and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
“The investment in Manawarin demonstrates that development is not only about roads and buildings, but also about improving quality of life, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and creating opportunities for citizens regardless of where they live,” Khan said.
He further praised plans to construct a jetty and boathouse and provide a boat and outboard engine to support healthcare outreach services to neighbouring riverine communities, noting that such investments will have lasting impacts on public health outcomes.
According to Khan, the broad scope of projects undertaken during the presidential outreach illustrates a development model centred on consultation, implementation and accountability.
“The President and Cabinet’s willingness to engage directly with residents and deliver on commitments sends a strong signal that development is being pursued in a deliberate and inclusive manner,” he said.
Khan added that the rapid pace of infrastructure expansion and public investment across Guyana continues to create opportunities for businesses, communities and future generations.
“These investments in Region Two are not isolated projects; they form part of a wider national vision aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving social services, stimulating economic growth and building a more prosperous Guyana for all citizens,” he said.
