Good infrastructure, assurance of growth in our economy – PM Nagamootoo
― PM Nagamootoo opens 8th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress
― “People and goods need to move for an economy to grow” – IRF’s Dr Kamil Kaloush
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 8, 2019
“Good infrastructure is an assurance of positive growth in our economy,” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo told participants from across the Caribbean Region who are in Guyana for the Eighth International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress.
The event, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), is being held under the theme “Modernising the Region’s Roads for Future Generation”.
Keynote speaker, Prime Minister Nagamootoo told the participants:
“Our people demand high standards, so your presence here today is an assurance to our people of Guyana and the people of the Caribbean that we have friends and dependable partners. With good works being developed in Guyana, all roads will lead to this country of promise because the infrastructure would ensure that whoever comes to invest here is investing in a safe and sound economy.”
He reminded the participants that their critical discussions would impact the road and transportation sector in the region noting that “Guyana is on the cusp of introducing transformative changes to the country’s infrastructures including road networks.”
“We are immersed in the vision of Guyana where superhighways, roads, railways, river crossings and bridges will create the vital link between our Atlantic Sea Coast and our Southern borders which is the enterprising gateway to the rest of South America.”
The Guyana Government is looking towards the leadership of the IRF for the development in the road sector, he explained, as well as the development of policy guidelines to highlight the potentially transformative impact, and define the benefits that could be derived from the public-private partnership in infrastructural development.
During the opening of the conference, participants were treated to a glimpse of Guyana’s culture through spoken words by Keno Heywood, a song by the Korokwa Singers and drama by National Drama Company.
In his remarks, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson explained, with the country being poised to become one of the largest oil and gas producing nations; Guyana “must, therefore, be forward thinking, innovative and practical in the way we develop, manage and utilise our resources.” He further explained that “we are on the path of robust infrastructure, our plan includes key constructions of roadways, stellings, wharves, highways.”
With an emphasis that participants are at the conference to exchange ideas so that goals both locally and regionally can be realised, Robert Montague, Jamaica’s Minister of Transport and Mining, noted that “the time is right for road safety in our region.”
“People and goods need to move for an economy to grow”, were the sentiments of IRF’s board member Dr. Kamil Kaloush. He explained that “your presence here, underscores the vital connection between Guyana’s network of roads and its socio-economic aspirations at this critical reflection point nation’s trajectory. Economic prosperity truly is key to realising the good life as his Excellency President David Granger recently noted and good roads will help you get there.”
The opening of the Congress also saw attendance from Ministers of Government, Members of the Diplomatic Corp and a wide cross-section of engineers.
Rebecca Ganesh.
Images: Marceano Narine.