Three-tiered transformative infrastructure for Guyana – Pres. Ali
Government has set out a three-tiered transformative agenda for the country, which, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has said, will guarantee an improved quality of life for all citizens.
The plan, the Head of State explained, targets communities, regions and the country as a whole.
At the community level, Dr Ali said citizens could look forward to significant transformations.
“That is improvement in healthcare systems, improvement in road networks, educational facilities, and sports,” Dr. Ali said on Friday, during an interview with US-based radio announcer Mr. Farook Juman.
The President said much of the 2021 national budget would target communities’ needs, ensuring the establishment of “growth hubs” that will create employment and sustainable development.
Tier two of the plan targets regional development. Dr Ali noted the planned investments for Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), which he explained would lead to enormous economic transformation.
“The massive investment on the shore side of the Demerara River will create massive opportunities. “You will see development of agro-processing facilities, greater use of the Essequibo River in terms of investment hubs that will also create various growth poles,” the President noted.
Over in the East Berbice Corentyne region, the transformative infrastructure includes working with the Government of Suriname for the bridging of the Corentyne River and the construction of a Deepwater Harbour in the Berbice River.
In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), the national Aquaculture Master Plan will allow for major aquaculture investments in the Berbice area.
In Region Ten, the Government will be working to further capitalise on the bauxite industry and improving the mining sector.
The Guyanese leader said economic opportunities would be created in every region, since “when that happens, community wealth grows, regional wealth grows, and national wealth grows.
These are all going to be spin-offs. Can you imagine the massive transformation that will take place in that region that will create also a population push? This is how urbanisation and regionalisation will take place.”
Most of the regional transformative infrastructure is linked to the national agenda. These include the new four-lane road from the new Demerara Harbour Bridge to Parika, East Bank Essequibo, the opening up of Wales as a Development Authority, and set up of a Protein Plant.
“At the transformative level, we have the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Power Plant, the Protein Power Plant that will make Guyana globally competitive in livestock export for increased production, and soya bean and corn production in outlying areas,” Dr Ali stated.
These will be complemented by massive private sector investments, including new hotels and private healthcare and education services.