Dear Editor,
The signing of the contract for the Linden – Mabura Road project was held yesterday, all Guyanese should be proud of this historic event, since a paved road linking Guyana to Brazil was a dream of our forefathers. No doubt, the usual suspects will be loud in praise for the current administration for making this project “a reality”. Likewise, the government will strut their stuff and claim full credit for this project. However, this is far from the truth!
In 2015, in an effort to reconnect with its former colonies, who they felt were moving more towards China for their infrastructural needs, the UK government offered seven Caribbean countries a grant of 300M sterling to execute landmark projects (United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) | Caribbean Development Bank (caribank.org). Guyana’s portion of that grant amounted to 55M sterling. Several projects were submitted for consideration by the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure, namely: –
Linden – Mabura Road
Fixed bridge crossing at Kubururu
Lethem Regional Airport Upgrade
Parika Stelling Upgrade
The Linden – Mabura Road was selected as the most viable project. Feasibility and design works commenced in 2016, while several rounds of consultation were held with communities in region 8, 9 and 10. Final designs were completed in 2019 and the loan agreement was signed in 2020. Of interest, in 2019, the PPP, informed the UKCIF team, that the Linden-Mabura Road project was not a priority project for their party, and if they were successful in the upcoming elections, they will cancel this project. The response by the UK was unequivocal – cancel this project and we will cancel our funding.
So, while everyone should rightly be pleased to see this long talked about road linkage come to fruition, don’t be fooled or misled that it is only now being considered and implemented. The indisputable facts are that today’s signing is a result of the vision of the previous administration coupled with the support of the UK government and of course the Government’s good sense to follow through with a great project that will benefit all Guyanese. Just highlighting the facts, before the cameras start flashing.
Sincerely,
David Patterson
