The good life - More than a slogan – Part one

The good life – More than a slogan – Part one

Oct 28, 2018 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

“Guyana cannot become ‘One Nation’ if gross disparities persist between the hinterland and the coastland, between the educated few and a semi-literate mass and between the very rich and very poor. We shall foster the growth of a united nation in which cooperation prevails over confrontation”. All of our (the Coalition government) policies and programmes are developed to confirm with this vision of ‘one Guyana’, where the good life can be enjoyed by all Guyanese.
The government has developed a comprehensive plan to invest in, improve or increase public infrastructure assets. The Linden to Lethem road will be built linking the coast to the Hinterland. Phase One-Linden to Mabura, is slated to begin during the last quarter of 2018 and would be financed by the United Kingdom to the amount of 150 million pounds sterling. Phase Two- Kurupukari to Lethem is slated to begin in late 2019.
Before 2020, work will begin on a bridge over the Essequibo River. Negotiations with national and international parties have been conducted and a bridge across the Essequibo River at Kurupukari will be a reality.
The old Demerara Harbour Bridge will be replaced. Construction of a new four lane Demerara Harbour bridge will begin next year (2019). The bridge will be a permanent structure with a height of 17.5 metres. At this height, approximately 90% of the riverain traffic will traverse the Demerara River without the need to disrupt the operations of the Bridge.
To cater for the remaining 10% of the riverain traffic, there will be a section of the Bridge that will be lifted hydraulically 47.5 metres. This section will have a width of 70 metres, five metres wider than that of the existing bridge. Unlike the operations of the current bridge which opens and closes every day for more than one hour, there will be a bar and a stop light at the beginning of the hydraulic section. When a vessel approaches the bridge, the stop light will show red and the bar lowered, thereby bringing vehicular traffic on the Bridge to a halt. As soon as the vessel completes its passage through the Bridge, the green light will come on and the bar lifted. This interruption is expected to last 10-15 minutes.
Construction of the East Bank-East Coast connector will begin in the first quarter of 2019. This highway will link Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara with the Rupert Craig Highway on the East Coast of Demerara. Phase two of this project will see a road link from Diamond to Soesdyke.
Over the past three years, the country’s transportation network of aerodromes, bridges, roads, stellings and wharves has been improved. More than 30 hinterland aerodromes have been rehabilitated and maintained. The Bartica Stelling has been rehabilitated. Village roads, extending over 100 km, have been constructed or repaired, including laying asphaltic cement. The country’s first pedestrian overpasses have been installed across the East Bank Public Road.
Under the telecommunications sector, every government owned building is being connected to the internet, including airports, hospitals, markets, police stations, post offices and schools.
Already, 175 primary schools, over 120 government agencies, 37 technical and other tertiary institutes have free internet access across the e-government network. The National Data Management Authority (NDMA), continues to establish Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs across the country, with the current total at 135 hubs. A US$17M ICT Access and eServices project for Hinterland, Poor and Remote communities has been cleared for roll out in 2019.
The Coalition has provided a favourable investment climate. GCX (a private company) is investing $200 million to construct Guyana’s first deep water harbour and shore base, near Crab Island in the Berbice River. This project will provide thousands of jobs in the East Berbice- Corentyne Region.
Your Government envisages a green Guyana. We shall exploit Guyana’s favourable geographical location and abundant assets in order to develop a ‘green economy’ – one that generates human happiness in ways that are consistent with economic exploitation of its natural resources. We see a ‘green economy’ as one that sustains economic prosperity, environmental security and social well-being. It will allow the current generation to satisfy its needs without jeopardizing the opportunity of future generations to satisfy theirs.
There are 67 identified potential hydro-electricity generation sites in Guyana. Solar Electricity is already being used in a limited way, particularly in the hinterland regions. Under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP), a number of communities have received solar photovoltaics’ home systems. Seven hundred residents of Mabaruma now enjoy seventeen hours of clean and reliable electricity with the completion of Guyana’s first ever solar farm.
The $264Million farm in the Barima Waini Region covers ten acres on Khan’s Hill and provides power to Mabaruma and the surrounding areas. Other solar farms at Lethem in Region Nine, Mahdia in Region Eight and at Bartica in Region Seven are planned. These farms are anticipated to generate 800, 400, and 1.5 kilowatts of electricity respectively. They are all part of the government’s plan to move Guyana towards becoming a ‘Green State’.
Solar-powered street lights are being installed and government buildings are increasingly being equipped to use solar energy. Incentives are being offered to encourage this transition to solar technologies.
We have expanded the provision of water to unserved communities and improved the quality of service. The Water Supply and Sanitation Improvement Programme (WSSIP) will benefit more than 50,000 consumers through the construction of new water treatment plants at Uitvlugt, Diamond and Sheet Anchor. Construction of these plants has already begun.
Over the last three years, the Guyana Water Inc. was able to significantly increase the number of persons with access to potable water in Guyana.
After some 30 years, North Sophia residents benefitted from potable water access, with the installation of in excess of 10 standpipes.
GWI completed works in Ann’s Grove – ECD to provide service to more than 900 persons for the first time.
In Tucber Park, Savannah Park and No. 68 Village– East Berbice service was provided to more than 600 persons.
Approximately 20,000 residents of ‘D’ and ‘E’ Fields, Sophia, now have access to potable water supply, following the laying of transmission lines from newly rehabilitated wells in North Ruimveldt and Turkeyen to Sophia.
New water supply systems have been installed in Dutch Cab Housing Scheme, Dazzell Housing Scheme, Vryheid’s Lust, Golden Grove, Melanie, Victoria, Le Ressouvenir, Lusignan, and Ann’s Grove – East Coast Demerara, which have provided new service to more than 6,000 persons for the first time.
New water supply systems were installed in Barnwell/Mocha, Yarrowkabra, Friendship Squatting Area and Kuru Kururu, providing new service to residents for the first time.
New mains were installed in Ross Village, Nos. 40, 41 and 42 Villages, Lovely- Lass, No. 30 Village, Lichfield, Esau/ Jacob, where more than 2,000 residents benefitted from new service for the first time.
New mains have been installed in Tarlogie, Stanleytown, Nigg, No. 53 Village, No. 72 Village, No. 74 Village, Budhan Scheme and Angoy’s Avenue, which saw more than 6,500 persons getting potable water for the first time.
A new water distribution system was installed in Byderabo to benefit more than 300 persons with service for the first time.
A new potable water well was commissioned in Culvert City to provide service to more than 500 residents for the first time.
Approximately 7000 residents of New Amsterdam benefitted from first time access to 24 hour treated water service.
New mains have been installed in Green Valley, Amelia’s Ward and Blueberry Hill, Linden, which saw more than 300 persons receiving service for the first time.
Yarakita – potable water is now being provided to 300 persons for the first time as a result of the drilling of a new well.
Lima Sands – a new well and water supply system have resulted in 650 households accessing potable water
Ridge Wakenaam- some 400 persons were eligible to receive potable water for the first time as a result of the drilling of a new well.