-says there won’t be any more for Patterson to build
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill yesterday defended the 2025 national budget and cited 505 contractors working on Linden roads as evidence of the scale of the government’s undertakings.
Addressing Parliament on day four of the budget debate, he detailed ongoing and planned developments under the Public Works Ministry, including major roadworks, bridges, sea and river defence projects, and investments in transportation infrastructure.
Among the key allocations in the 2025 budget is funding for a new vessel to service Region 5. This investment aims to enhance transportation and connectivity in the region, improving accessibility for residents and businesses.
In responding to claims made by Opposition Parliamentarians, Edghill placed on the record that 505 contractors were building roads in Linden, 42 in Ituni, and more than 100 in New Amsterdam.
“Mr. (David) Patterson is saying that when he comes back into government, he will build roads in Linden and in New Amsterdam and in Georgetown. There will be no roads left for him to build because there are 505 contractors in Linden right now building roads for the people in Linden… And more than a hundred contractors in New Amsterdam building roads in New Amsterdam. In Georgetown, and in Region 4, 947 contractors are at work building roads. Some of them have already completed” their task, he said.
In blasting the opposition over plans and promises, Edghill noted, “You are against everything that is big, good, and transformational. Your sordid history is that everything that is big, transformational, and will benefit the people of Guyana, you stand in the way of preventing it. But we will not allow it.”
In disaggregating some $252 billion allocated for the Ministry of Public Works, he stated that all of the bridges from Karasabai in Region 9 all the way through to Paramakatoi in Region 8 will be under construction, bringing for the first time a smooth link between Region 9 and Region 8.
“All the members of the Opposition who said they can’t support the budget must tell the people of Region 9 and people of Region 8 we don’t want you to have those 29 bridges and we don’t want that road to be built. That’s what you’re saying”, he railed.
Additionally, money in the 2025 budget is also slated to build the Makouria Bridge that will link Region 4 with Region 7 from Sandhills to Falmouth. “As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker, the contract has already been awarded for this bridge.”
Aviation
Edghill also called out opposition members for failing to support allocations for aviation and regional road projects. “Mr. Speaker, I would like the Honourable Member Ms. Dawn Hastings and Mr. Ronald Cox and all those who tell the people that they represent that they voted against this budget that the 51 airstrips that exist and we maintain as a government that they don’t want money to go to upgrade those airstrips. There are 74, but 51 is currently active and there are about 128 in total. Accessibility to interior locations must be improved. And this budget does that.”
With regards to Region 2, he blasted the opposition over not supporting the budget, noting that 177 contractors are currently upgrading roads in almost all the villages.
“I would like the Honourable Member from Region 2—he’s not in the House, he’s having lunch early—to tell the people of Region 2 that have 177 contractors currently working in upgrading all of the remaining roads in Region 2 that he’s against the budget because he don’t want their roads to be built. Where is Mr. (Ganesh) Mahipaul? He said he’s from Region 3. He gone to eat. I want him to tell the people of Wakenaam and Leguan and Parika and the people who live on the West Bank where the new road is being developed from the Harbour Bridge all the way to Patentia he’s against the budget”, he taunted
In highlighting the government’s achievements in public works from 2020 to 2024, Edghill said that 4,322 kilometers of roads were constructed, 150 bridges were rehabilitated, and 66 bridges were maintained. He further noted that these were not just wooden bridges being repaired, but rather concrete bridges being installed. During the same period, 25,783 kilometers of sea and river defence structures were constructed, while 328,751 kilometers were maintained. He also dismissed Opposition claims regarding sea defence breaches.
“The Honourable Member Mr. (Vinceroy) Jordan from Region 5 talked about a breach that we came in and corrected. Oh, let me be fair with the people of Guyana, they just listen to me, they got sense, they perceive for themselves. Since we are in government, there has not been a breach. As a matter of fact, there have been no sea defence breaches in the whole period. We have had overtopping, but we have not had breaches”, he declared.
Edghill also spoke on investments in transportation, particularly the purchase of additional ferry vessels.
“Mr. Speaker, the people of Region 1 and the people of Region 2 would be proud to hear that Budget 2025 has an allocation for the purpose of purchasing additional vessels, ferry vessels. The MV Ma Lisha is there. We are now in the dockyard coming out with the MV Kimbia, which will be dedicated for the transportation of cargo.” He further announced the acquisition of another vessel for Region 1, enhancing transportation services that have already increased in frequency. “We have the MV Barima taking it to Region 1. We are about to buy another vessel to put on the Region 1 route, even though we have moved from going twice a month to now several times a month”, he said.
Additionally, the 2025 budget allocates approximately $2 billion for traffic lights as part of broader efforts to improve road safety and manage congestion. “The Honourable Prime Minister is heading a Cabinet subcommittee that includes the traffic officers from all across the country discussing traffic safety. While we’re doing geometric improvement of the roads to keep the flow, we’re also studying the movement of people. More than 4,000 kilometers of sidewalks are being built to take the pedestrians out of the motorized traffic for safety of people”, he added.