The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) through its Central Transport and Planning Unit (CTPU), yesterday, held its first public consultation with residents, minibus operators, water taxi operators and vendors, among others in relation to the planned upgrade of the Parika Stelling to a modern facility befitting of Guyana’s new age of development.
The session was conducted at the Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) where stakeholders were updated on various aspects of the planning and construction phases of the project.
According to a ministry release, Chief Transport Planning Officer (CTPO), Patrick Thompson and Socio-Environmental Officer, Sherilyn Inniss-Alphonso, both from the MoPI, presented on the technical, environmental and social aspects of the project.
The ministry quoted the CTPO as saying that Parika serves as the main transport hub to Region 2, Bartica, the islands of the Essequibo River and other areas of the country and therefore, the transformation is timely to support the major transport activities and commercial transactions that take place at Parika every day.
The ministry noted that over time, the Parika Stelling has become noticeably deteriorated and congested giving rise to safety and other environmental concerns which the project will seek to address in a most holistic way and in line with developmental plan for the Transport Sector of Guyana.
Funding has already been secured from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for the feasibility and design phase of the project and once completed, financing will be provided for the construction phase.
