$38.5BILLION for Public Infrastructure’s 2019 projects
– 71.9% will be spent on upgrading or adding to the capital stock
– remainder would go towards maintenance and repairs
– some 80 per cent of container traffic to and from Northern Brazil will be deflected from the Manaus/Amazon River Port route to Port Georgetown, with connections to North America, Europe and wider afield
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, November 27, 2018
$38.5Billion have been budgeted for Public Infrastructure with several major projects planned for 2019.
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, during his presentation of the 2019 Budget, on Monday, November, announced that the government intends to spend $38.5Billion to facilitate major infrastructural works next year.
“It is our roads, bridges, ports, stellings, airports and aerodromes that will be assessed and expanded to catalyse the transformation that is no longer an illusion but, a reality brimming with hope,” the minister explained.
He added that the budgeted amounts will be used to maintain existing public infrastructure and also bring new structures into being to aid the movement of goods and provision of services in keeping with government’s vision of the good life for all.
“Of the amount budgeted, 71.9 per cent will be spent on upgrading or adding to the capital stock, while the remainder would go towards maintenance and repairs. This sizeable allocation will result in improved movement of people and goods, both, nationally and internationally, enhanced resilience of coastal and riverain communities, and improved efficiency in services delivered to the citizenry of Guyana.,” Minister Jordan said.
He noted that a priority of the Government is the Linden-Lethem Road, which will serve as the main hub of hinterland connectivity with road networks extended throughout each geographical region, “as we extend our relations with the rest of South America.”
The administration is in discussion with the Brazilian Government on the development of the road from Mabura to Lethem which will create ease of access to Brazil, improve local community welfare and promote the economic advancement of Lethem and other such communities.
“When completed, this superhighway from Linden to Lethem will open the vast Rupununi and intermediate savannahs of Guyana, stimulate business activities, create eco-tourism opportunities for our hinterland communities contiguous to the corridor, facilitate easy road access for our foresters and miners and open a new and dynamic trade and commercial link with Northern Brazil.”
According to an IDB-financed market access study, preliminary estimates conducted indicate that some 80 per cent of the container traffic to and from Northern Brazil will be deflected from the Manaus/Amazon River Port route to Port Georgetown, with connections to North America, Europe and wider afield.
In addition, $134Million has been allocated to execute studies and plans for the rehabilitation of the 72km Linden-Soesdyke Highway which has been neglected for more than two decades under the previous administration.
Kidackie Amsterdam.
Image by Keno George.