Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni K. Singh on Friday said that the US$106M road linkage being formed to connect Guyana’s East Coast and East Bank corridors as well as the roads connecting Georgetown to the country’s hinterland regions is part of the government’s infrastructure master plan to meet the growing needs of the oil producing State.
According to Dr. Singh, infrastructure network development will be integral to Guyana’s rapid transformation.
The minister made the foregoing comment, among others, during his delivery of the feature address at the contract-signing and sod-turning ceremony held for Phase 1 of the new East Bank-East Coast Road linkage project (Ogle to Haags Bosch, Eccles).
Dr Singh added that the government will continue to ensure that major road networks are upgraded while also ensuring that additional new roads and infrastructure are completed as part of President Irfaan Ali’s vision for the country.
The Finance Minister told attendees as well that soon government will sign another major contract for the reconstruction of the current Soesdyke/Linden Highway for which a team from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) is in Guyana to finalize discussions on the reconstruction of this major thoroughfare. The highway links the Capital City Georgetown to Regions Seven, Eight and 10 and other riverain communities of the country.
Also speaking at the event was Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill who explained to attendees that the building of the Ogle to Haags Bosch four-lane roadway would see the administration being able to open up new lands. When that happens, he said there would be more lands for housing, agriculture, agro-processing, industrial development and for the oil and gas sector among other areas.
“You cannot transform and modernize a country without putting in road infrastructure,” Minister Edghill added as he also indicated to residents that as of Monday, June 27, government will be removing all encumbrances close to public roadways including derelict vehicles.
Funding for the Phase 1 of the East Bank-East Coast Road Linkage Project (Ogle to Eccles) was garnered through a Line of Credit received by the Government of Guyana from the Export-Import Bank of India in an amount equivalent to US$50M with the Civil Works contract awarded to Ashoka Buildcon Ltd. (Ashoka) totaling US$106,377,380.77.
Works on the new road include construction of 7.8km of virgin road with an asphaltic concrete finish along the main road alignment consisting of four lanes, each 3.6m wide and a median creating two traffic lanes in each direction. Concrete drains, sidewalks and a utility corridor will be constructed along the length of the roadway and several safety features will also be incorporated.
In addition, construction works will also include a two (2) lane connector road at Eccles-Haags Bosch. This road will also be of asphaltic concrete while minor bridges and culverts will be constructed along the connector.
It was only in May last that Government signed a contract with a Brazilian construction contractor (Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A) for the construction of the new Linden to Mabura road being funded by the Government of Guyana, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Kingdom at a total cost of $32.5 Billion.
In May 2022 as well, the administration signed the single largest public infrastructure project undertaken in the history of the country for construction of a new US$261 million Demerara Harbour Bridge.
Meanwhile a contract was also signed for studies in connection with the bridging of the Corentyne river.
Additionally, President Irfaan Ali earlier this year commissioned and opened a new four lane road leading from Mandela Avenue, Georgetown to Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara.
