Dear Editor,
It appears that there is little or no ‘fussing and fighting’ between government and the parliamentary opposition in respect to government’s interior and coast-land road expansion programme. Roads are vital to any country’s development agenda. They contribute significantly to the geographic re-balancing of the economy, reducing economic inequalities generally and between town and country specifically. In this regard, Guyana is no exception. If there are two particular roads that should reflect unity of purpose, between the Government of Guyana and the Parliamentary Opposition, they would be the road that was once known as the ‘Del Conte Road’ and the recently inaugurated Linden to Mabura to Lethem Road.
Soon after the PPP’s election victory in August 1961, the newly elected Cheddi Jagan government successfully secured assistance in the form of ‘Contractor Finance.’ Tenders were invited to construct a 30-mile long road on the right bank of the Essequibo River from Parika to Makouria. The road was to be linked by a ferry crossing to Bartica. The United Force sought to throw cold water on the project by referring to the political situation in Venezuela, issues related to financing, due diligence and the need for a public debate on the project. Three months later, in February 1962, opposition political parties including the PNC led by Forbes Burnham, the UF led by Peter D’Aguiar and the TUC mounted street demonstrations against the budget introduced by Dr.CR Jacobs PPP Finance Minister. By February 16, looting and destruction by fire of business places erupted in downtown Georgetown. The Del Conte Road project was torpedoed following the elections in 1964 that brought the PNC/UF coalition to office.
Forty nine years later, former President Donald Ramotar announced, “We are keenly examining the possibility of reopening the Del Conte trail via a road link between Parika and communities close to Bartica.” He went on to say; “When constructed, the road has the possibility of opening up thousands of acres of new lands for agricultural cultivation thereby increasing food production and securing greater economic opportunities for farmers, while providing a much needed road link to areas formerly only accessible by river.” (G/C 30.5.2013). In its 2020 Election Manifesto under the theme ‘Infrastructure Boom – Building For The Future, the PPP/C declared; ‘The PPP/C government will initiate work on several transformative infrastructural projects that will include the Parika to Rockstone Del Conte Road and link to Bartica.’
At Anna Regina on the Esssequibo Coast President Ali declared: “… understanding the need to access new areas of growth and to open up new lands for new opportunities, we have commenced work on surveys and clearing the alignment for Timehri – Sand Hill, Bartica road links [and] the Parika – Goshen roadway …” On May 21,2022, PPP/C Government officials along with the British High Commissioner turned the sod for the Linden to Mabura Road which, according to S/N; ‘…will lead to a fully paved highway all the way to Lethem and open up massive business opportunities with Brazil. .. The project is the first link of the highway between Linden and Lethem and is the first segment of the approximately 450 kilometres thoroughfare.’ (S/N22.5.22). Funding for the project is of great interest. Of a total cost of US$190m, the CDB will contribute US$112 million as a loan, a £50 grant (US$66m) will be provided by the UK while the GOG will provide US$12m, most likely as counterpart funds.
Sincerely,
Clement J. Rohee