$650M in roads and drainage works to be initiated
─ “We, as a government, go where the need is, not where the vote is” – Min. Patterson
─ community roads in Regions 2 to 6 to be rehabilitated
By Shaquille Bourne
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, May 30, 2019
Many regions throughout the country are poised to benefit from infrastructural upgrades to roads and drainage networks with the injection of $650M by the Coalition Government.
The supplementary budgetary allocation under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was approved, last Thursday, during the 115th Sitting of the National Assembly. During his presentation, Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson told the National Assembly that government remains resolute on its commitment to the enhancement of the livelihoods of all Guyanese.
“We as a government go where the need is, not where our vote is,” Minister Patterson stated.
Of the funds approved, $150M was secured for miscellaneous roads and bridges. These include the main access roads. Minister Patterson explained that funds were sought to construct and rehabilitate community roads in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The Public Infrastructure Minister clarified that the $150M was sought as a result of the findings of the community engagements the Coalition Government has led through the ‘Government Comes to You’ outreaches. During the hands-on approach of those engagements, the ministry was able to better understand and meet the needs of the people.
With respect to rehabilitation and construction of urban roads and bridges, which constitute those in the ten municipal towns, a staggering $500M was appropriated by the National Assembly.
So far, under the ministry’s $38.5Billion 2019 budgetary allocation, works for 60 miscellaneous roads from all administrative regions have already been out to tender under the Guyana National Tender and Procurement Administration (NPTA). Many of those contracts have been awarded, and works have commenced. Likewise, in relation to urban roads, 46 have been out to tender with contracts awarded in most instances, and infrastructural works have begun.
Images: Department of Public Information