New US$133.8M Ogle to Eccles four-lane highway officially commissioned

Jul 01, 2025 News

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By Allyiah Allicock

Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali on Monday joined the Ministry of Public Works and other stakeholders in officially commissioning the newly constructed US$133.8 million four-lane highway linking the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) from Ogle to the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) at Eccles.

As reported previously, in June 2022, the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Public Works had signed the road contract with Ashoka Buildcon Limited out of India, to initially commence works for a four-lane road link between Ogle and Eccles. At that time, the contract was signed to the tune of US$106.4 million. It was reported that the project was being financed through a loan provided by the Indian Export Import Bank.

Inclusive of the supervisory services and additional works, it was announced by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Vladmin Persaud that the overall total amounts to US$133.8 million.  This new highway which not only would ease commute time between the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, was built to create critical investment opportunities, according to President Irfaan Ali.

Delivering the feature address, the President said, “Many times we have explained that this project is not only about a road, development is facilitated by the investment in these critical infrastructures, but sometimes you have to understand what comes with these critical investments what are the opportunities that these critical investments create.”

He said that this new road and all other roads that are being built between the East Coast and East Bank have already opened up tens of thousands of new house lots, and creating the opportunities for the third phase of housing development across the East Coast and East Bank corridors.

The President noted that this economic expansion that is being created through these infrastructure forms part of the “transformative future” that his government envisions.  The new lands that have opened as a result of this highway he said will not only be developed by government but also through the private sector.

Detailing the new opportunities that the highway would be creating, the Head-of-State said that along the new highway to Buzz Bee Dam, EBD, some six new internationally branded hotels will be constructed, some of which are nearing completion.

Also, he noted there will be some five new hospitals (public and private hospitals), thousands of new homes, three massive industrial hubs and two massive manufacturing hubs, which would be facilitated by the private investment.

“Along this road also is the massive new transmission line that is going to interconnect East Coast, East Bank, Berbice, Region Three. So it’s the power interconnectivity and all of these new infrastructures are built on smart technology, so that the latest technology is what we’re utilizing. This road also will benefit from the electronic ticketing system and the e-traffic management system that we are bringing in place,” he said.

Further, outlining that this road is the “corridor of opportunity”, the President mentioned that this highway opens up new lands and communities that would stimulate investment and drive inclusive development. “This road is about improving the quality of life of every Guyanese. Roads are not just about movement they are catalysts for broad-based national development. Where road goes, opportunities follow and where opportunity flourishes, so too human dignity, industry and prosperity. This bypass road is opening up far more than an alternative route. This opens up lands for housing, agriculture, commerce, warehousing and industry. This opening up the arteries of our economy, so goods can flow, people can move, and services can expand. It is not just an engineering feat. It is a socio-economic enabler,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the road project, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill highlighted that this project was long on the table for execution. He mentioned that the new highway was to be built under the price tag of US$275 million by the former APNU/AFC administration. “I want to put on record, and I want to be clear, even if I sound controversial, when we came to government, we met a project that was US$275 million by the APNU/ AFC government to do exactly what we did here,” he said.

He explained also that the financing from the Government of India for the project was secured since under the Donald Ramotar Presidency. “For five years of the APNU/ AFC rule, nothing was done, just like the money that was available for the ferry from Georgetown to Region One,” he related.

During his remarks also, the Public Works minister announced that the same Indian company was contracted by the government to further carry the road link to Providence. “This afternoon and the President will commission this new road. I would also like to announce and let the people of Guyana know that under the leadership of His Excellency, at the same rates, we have engaged Ashoka Buildcon to continue this road to Providence, where it will connect with the new Demerara River Bridge. So there will be a seamless transfer that when you come off the bridge, the roundabout which is being constructed right now at Heroes Highway, then you continue for another 2 kilometers to connect with this, and then you could get along,” he announced.

Speaking also was Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang and External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar who congratulated both the government and Ashoka Buildcon on the timely completion of the road linkage. They stated that the road linkage will stand as a testimony to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between India and Guyana. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar also spoke at the commissioning ceremony.

Pictures: ogle highway 1to 3

Caption: Section of the new Ogle to Eccles four-lane highway which officially commissioned on Monday evening. (Photo courtesy, Hon. Deodat Indar, Minister and MP/ Facebook)

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• Ashoka Buildcon Limited, East Bank of Demerara., East Coast of Demerara, four-lane highway, Ogle to Eccles, Vladmin Persaud

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