– Guyana to Suriname Bridge officials awaiting confirmation on schedule meeting
WITH $236.17 billion allotted, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill emphasised the importance of the ongoing advancements made across the country and the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Guyanese citizen and their families have better lives under President Ali’s administration.
During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the Minister of Public Works provided a detailed breakdown of the allocation of $236.17 billion to three key programmes: public works, transportation, and policy administration. He maintained that the public works projects not only serve to enhance the country’s infrastructure, but also contribute significantly to the standard of living for the citizens of Guyana.
According to Minister Edghill, “The public works programmes include all that we have been doing all along. Those are the roads, bridges, major highways, and continuing projects such as the Linden to Mabura roads and the Ogle to Eccles four-lane roads, which are followed by the exit bank. There is money in there for the new four-lane Wismar Bridge, and there is money in there for the continuous work on the New Demerara River Bridge. There is money in there to continue the development of community roads, sea and river defences, and the rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips, among others.”
GUYANA TO SURINAME BRIDGE
Meanwhile, Minister Edghill expounded on the ongoing and anticipated expansion in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), underscoring its pivotal role in driving Guyana’s economic development. He also noted that the meeting of the two countries’ officials and neighbours (Guyana and Suriname) will be scheduled at the earliest date of convenience for both countries.
“As of right now, we are awaiting confirmation for a scheduled meeting between the Minister of Public Works (Juan Edghill), the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Huge Todd), and the Minister of Finance (Dr. Ashni Singh) of Guyana, along with the Minister of Public Works, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Finance from Suriname, to make the final decision on the way forward, having received the joint evaluation report,” Minister Edghill explained.
Furthermore, Minister Edghill conveyed his contentment with President Ali for the significant allocation made to his ministry and the confidence placed in him and his office to execute and finalize the major transformative initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life and welfare of all Guyanese citizens. According to him, his team at the ministry is fully committed to ensuring that the task that is expected of them is fulfilled.
“More money means that we will build and develop more community roads, more urban roads, more hinterland roads, and more farm-to-market access roads. It also means that we will be able to push the work of the major highways and thoroughfares, and that is what we intend to do!” Minister Edghill added.
In a regional event held last November, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh stated that Guyana and Suriname are currently engaged in advanced discussions regarding the construction of the Corentyne River bridge, which would serve as a link between the two nations.
Dr. Ashni Singh informed the public about the progress being made in Region Six and the promising prospects they would bring about.
He also reminded them of the various infrastructural projects that are currently being done around the country, which, according to him, are changing the country’s architectural landscape.
He explained, “We are at an advanced stage of discussions with our Surinamese counterparts. We have already done a public international tender, and we have received bids. The bids are currently under an evaluation process in partnership with Suriname.”
He also related that two businesses, China Road, and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), owned by the Chinese, and Ballast Nedam, a Dutch engineering company, filed proposals in October 2023 to build the bridge over the Corentyne River that would connect Guyana and Suriname.
The significance of the bridge was emphasised by Dr. Ashni Singh, who emphasised its ability to establish new transportation routes and bolster the commercial and bilateral connections between Suriname and Guyana. “With the construction of the Corentyne Bridge, irrespective of what you produce, your market immediately extends now into Suriname, and you have the potential now to deliver your goods and services into the country,” he added.
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