Latest update March 21st, 2025 7:03 AM
Latest News
US$34.2M to improve WCD Public Road
The Ministry of Public Works will be undertaking the construction of 31 kilometres of roadway from Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie, West Coast Demerara. The improved structure will include safety features such as walkways, bicycle paths and expansions in certain sections.
This was pointed out by Geoffrey Vaughn, Coordinator of the Work Services Group of the Ministry of Public Works at the official launching of the five-year project and project implementation workshop. The project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank through a US$34.2M loan to the Government of Guyana.
Participants of the workshop
The West Coast Demerara road project has several components: Road Safety Education; Capacity Building; Engineering Services; Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation. Physical construction of the roadway will take about two years.
Besides the schools’ road safety educational programme that will be undertaken by the Ministry of Education, every other element of the project will be undertaken by the Ministry of Public Works.
Vaughn related that designs for the improved structure are completed but have to be reviewed to ensure all aspects such as utilities are taken into consideration in the final designs. Following the review period – which would probably take about six weeks – the Ministry will be inviting companies to tender for the project.
According to Andrew Dupingy, Division Chief of the CDB, road transport remains the most common form of transportation in Guyana and this project aims to enhance safety on the roadway.
He noted that the CDB is privileged to provide technical and financial support for the project that will benefit the various communities along the stretch, which houses 46 primary schools, health centres and other Government buildings.
The CDB, in its strategic plan, recognizes that good roads help to support national development. And Guyana has been recording positive growth within recent years, with sectors such as rice and mining playing major roles. This growth is propelled by the development of road infrastructure development.
According to Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, the Government is particularly pleased with such development.
Projects funded by CDB within the Ministry are the Third Road Project and the Profitt/Fouils Sea Defence project. “The Government would like to compliment the President and staff of CDB for their contribution to Guyana’s Development,” he said.
The Minister emphasized that this new project is critical to the development of the West Coast Demerara corridor that has one of the largest housing establishments – Tuschen Housing Scheme – which has more than 1,000 house lots.
In addition, there are many striving businesses and farming areas which will benefit from this project and it would also complement the construction of the New Demerara River Bridge, as well as the increased importation of vehicles in Guyana.
The West Coast Demerara Road has always been the main artery for persons and goods being transported from the City to the Essequibo Coast and Islands. The major upgrade to the road will result in a reduction of travel time for transporting of goods and services.
Benn indicated that a factor that must be considered during the workshop discussions is the usage of the roadway by rice farmers to dry paddy. He noted that the Traffic Department has been faced with this challenge for years, but his Ministry is always willing to allow the farmers to utilize the roadway since rice contributes significantly to the economy. Nonetheless, the improvements to the road are not being done to facilitate the drying of paddy.
Developments to this roadway would also complement the construction of the Parika to Goshen Road that would open up farmlands. In addition, it would provide alternative access to the interior.
According to Benn, there have been some improvements in the monitoring of projects executed by the Ministry however, more needs to be done. He related that the Ministry has registered the negatives that resulted in the delays of projects such as the East Bank Demerara Public Road four-lane expansion, and is working on not repeating them.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
“One Guyana” is no less a national slogan than “Green Guyana”
Kaieteur News- The notion that “One Guyana” is a partisan slogan is pure poppycock. It is a desperate fiction... more
If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS, Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- In the latest... more
Weekend Cartoon
