Andrews blasts Govt. over inflated spending on public infrastructural projects

Feb 05, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, (MP) Saiku Andrews on Tuesday blasted the People Progressive Party/Civic administration over its spending in major infrastructural projects.

In his maiden contribution to the national budget debate, Andrews challenged the administration over its idea of ‘Putting the People First.’

“Listen to me. When I look at this budget, Mr. Speaker, it says putting people first, but one would expect stronger measures, stronger measures geared at the senior citizen, uplifting the life of minimum wage workers, youths, and the vulnerable…  The budget that is presented in this house is clearly a budget of sand, stone, and cement. Fifty per cent of this budget goes to capital expenditure, “Andrews said.

The APNU parliamentarian noted while he is not opposed to vision and transformation, he is at odds with the government’s idea of transformation which he said smacks of large spending without achieving value for money.

“I welcome vision. As a matter of fact, listen, the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, it’s just a replacement of what was truly a transformational piece of infrastructure….” Andrews said alluding to Demerara Harbor Bridge which was constructed under the leadership of LFS Burnham —the founder of the People National Congress (PNC) party.

Citing the benefits of the project, the parliamentarian noted that the bridge linked Region Three to four and gave 48 years of service to citizens.

“Mr. Speaker, this government is now asking us to approve spending on a new Berbice bridge. Mr. Speaker, look at the contrast. Now   this government is asking us to spend money on a fixed bridge over the Berbice River…This government missed two opportunities, Mr. Speaker, to build a fixed concrete bridge over the Berbice River.”

“In 2000, Mr. Speaker, and 2004, they got the estimate. They got the proposal in 2000 for $30.8 million. They rejected it. In 2004, they got a proposal for to $4.6

million. They rejected it. But in 2006, Mr. Speaker, they decided to burden the Guyanese people with a floating bridge that cost $45 million plus return on investment and all of the other maintenance costs over a 21-year period, subjecting the people of Regions Five and Six to some of the highest toll rates in the Western Hemisphere. That is not leadership. That is cake shop economics…”

To this end, Andrews noted that while the government touts transformational infrastructure, it must deliver value for money. The MP stressed too that the projects must stand the test of time in service and withstand adversity.

He noted that the PNC had the foresight to leave space for future highway construction.  However, the MP noted that PPP/C lacked the same foresight and ended up building the housing scheme in middle of the thoroughfare.

“We did a wonderful housing scheme, the largest housing scheme in the Caribbean, but a lack of vision… So now we’re about to build a road the Mandela to Eccles all the way to the highway. And now the road has to go like this. You got to go straight, twist, turn around diamond, go around like if it’s an amusement park, ride. But hold on, Mr. Speaker. This is beyond poor planning. This is beyond poor planning, Mr. Speaker. This budget is wasting people money. This is more of the same and value down the drain.”

He turned his attention to the Mandela to Eccles Road project.  “Phase one in 2000 and 2021.  It cost us $928 million per kilometer. This is canfield virgin land.  One year later, phase two, Eccles to Diamond, the price went up $1.4 billion. One more after that phase three, diamond to Busby, $2.3 billion. Same cane field. Phase four, Busby to land of Canaan. Mr. Speaker, guess what is the cost per km of road…$ 4.6 billion. We signed contracts valued $52 billion for 11.3 km road.”

To this end, the parliamentarian called for a change of mind set on those sitting on the opposite side of the house

“Mr. Speaker, it is not only the roads that are in need of rehabilitation. The PPP’s mindset needs to be rehabilitated. Yes, it needs to be rehabilitated. It needs to be rehabilitated from break to build, to rehabilitate to build to last,” he said

MP Andrews’s speech followed a glowing presentation in support of the budget by minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Madanlall Ramraj.

According to Ramraj, the budget is one that continues the PPP/C government’s unwavering commitment to equitable development, modern infrastructure and a better quality of life for everyone.

“Mr. Speaker guided by his transformative vision of his Excellency President Dr. Mohamed irfaan Ali and underpinned by the prudent management and responsible stewardship across all 10 re administrative regions. The result of this national transformation is visible and undeniable. Since 2020, the People’s Progressive Party Civic Government Administration has faithfully implemented and delivered on its commitment made to the Guyanese people,” he said

The minister noted that under the budgetary allocation of $227 billion, with $212 billion for capital spending a number of transformational projects are in play.

He pointed to major infrastructure projects, including the US$260 million new Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge, the Heroes Highway and the Ogle-to-Eccles interlink, as examples of how investments have reduced travel time and improved daily life for commuters.

“I’m showing what development look like in the Ministry of Public Works. We have issued over 5,000 contracts and over 12,000 projects executed nationwide. Look at that. Look at that. Look at that, Mr. Speaker. Look at that.”

“In Region Two, there were 326 projects that valued $11.7 billion. Region three, 524 projects valued $49 billion. Region Four, 2,157 projects volume $65.3 billion. Region Five, 389 projects valued 11 billion. Region Six, 857 projects valued $72.1billion. Region 10, 758 projects valued $16.6 billion,” he explained.

He said the aim was to ensure that in every community where government projects are executed, progress is felt directly by those who live in the communities.

In 2025, under the Ministry of Public Works, 10, 868 small contractors benefited from contracts from $14 million and up, while 1,600 medium size contractors got contracts ranging from $14 million to $100 million. Mr. Speaker, we are talking about 12,000 contractors, these are small people who are benefiting from the government and this is only from Public Works,” Ramraj added.

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• APNU, inflated spending, PPPC, Public infrastructure, Saiku Andrews

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