Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) is seen as the “next frontier for development,” according to Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who says residents can expect major infrastructural works.
Patterson told the Nation Assembly during the budget debate on Wednesday that these works include the $472.5 million rehabilitation and upgrade of the Parika Stelling to a water front development and the continuation of the 30.7 – kilometre long Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie road for which $2.369 billion has been allocated.
“This area is earmarked for an industrial/business estate, housing and agriculture development, coupled with the new Demerara River crossing. Soon, the residents of this area will be the “Pioneers in this New Frontier,”” he emphasised.
Having been allocated 13.2% of the total 2016 budget, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure will work towards moving the government’s promised “good life” from words to reality with special emphasis being placed on transparency and accountability, Patterson said. He noted that the government inherited the country while it was at a critical junction as “the pillars of our economy” were experiencing severe downfall as a result of the lack of vision or foresight. However, he claims that the new administration has since been able to provide a level of stability.
And while he said the new government still has a long journey ahead of it, Patterson noted that it is a journey that has already commenced, while adding that some “bold and imaginative” steps have been highlighted in this year’s budget presentation that are expected to promote higher levels of production and productivity.
Additionally, the Minister stressed the efforts of the administration to ensure that transparency and accountability in this specific sector remain key elements as it strives to develop the country.
“Previously, chaos reigned, however measures have been implemented to restore confidence,” Patterson declared. He spoke of the measures of having all projects being publicly advertised, with more effective supervision and monitoring devices being implemented and the upgrade and tightening of evaluation procedures as being some of the measures that have already been implemented.
Speaking of the Ministry’s proposed work programme for this year, he said in addition to the plans for Region Three, other areas are set to benefit. He noted the implementation of a number of projects that are being funded by the Government of Guyana and the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund, which would see a focus on the rehabilitation and development of wharfs, stellings, airstrips, and waterfront development, among other things.
In addressing the development of wharfs and stellings, Patterson explained that like the Parika Stelling, similar works will be done in Region One and Region Four as multimillion-dollar renovations are expected to be carried out on the Kumaka and Port Kaituma wharfs as well as the Transport and Harbour Stelling.
Further, the construction of boardwalks, concessionary stands and floating ramps to accommodate steamboats are also expected.
“To top it all off, we will be constructing a walkway linking the Stabroek Market to the Transport and Harbours wharf at a sum of $1.1 billion,” Patterson disclosed.
Additional boardwalks are also expected to be constructed from Kingston to Ogle along the East Coast of Demerara as well as in Region Six, while a concessionary stand is expected to be constructed at the Supenaam Stelling in Region Two.
These boardwalks, he said, will be powered by renewable energy and will serve to provide an area of recreation and relaxation for Guyanese in those areas.
Meanwhile, Patterson noted that greater initiatives will be taken this year with regards to hinterland roads and airstrip upgrades, as well as other infrastructural works especially in the three new townships of Bartica, Lethem and Mabaruma.
He explained that a total $1.2 billion has been allocated for the upgrade and establishment of aerodromes and airstrips in the interior regions of the country, while $2.6 billion has been allocated for sea defence and land reclamation from Kingston to Ogle.
In addition to those, the Ministry also intends to spend $133 million on a storage facility for the storage of derelict vehicles on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Patterson explained that this provision was made as efforts continue to promote the “greening of our economy.” He noted that the facility is expected to occupy 50 hectares of land along the highway and will cater to the compaction and storage of vehicles picked up across the country.
Also mentioned was the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, which according to the Minister has been redefined and is expected to be completed in 2017.
