A whopping $2.1 billion contact was inked on Friday to develop Silica City along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway during a contract signing ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
This is one of the 126 contracts exceeding $56 billion that was awarded for infrastructural works under the Housing Ministry as part of its work programme for 2023.
Some of the contractors during the signing ceremony
Housing Minister Collin Croal at the signing ceremony explained that significant investments will be made in key project areas – a major one being the Silica City project which will be inhabited by 2025.
“A lot of people have been asking if they will see Silica City off and they have been hearing about Silica City. One thing you can be rest assured is that by 2025, you will hear much more than just Silica City. You will see people living there,” the Minister envisioned.
With designs for the first phase of Silica City expected to commence this year, it is envisioned that over the next two decades this new city along the Linden-Soesdyke Highway will grow to hold more than 12,500 households. The new city is intended to be one of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s climate change mitigation strategies.
It will initially cater to just over 3000 households in the first five years but 3800 acres of land has been earmarked for the new city, and designs for the first phase of the project will begin this year. The city will be a smart one, powered by renewable energy and developed with the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and goal 11 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
However, among the projects is the continuation of the four-lane highway currently constructed up to Great Diamond, which will now extend to Craig to the tune of $3.4 billion.
Other communities which will see infrastructural developments include Success, Good Hope, Le Ressouvenir, De Endragt, Great Diamond, Golden Grove, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Stewartville, Leonora, Palmyra and Bartica among others.
However, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Sherwyn Greaves stated that works on roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, access roads and other amenities for developing areas will be realised.
A breakdown of the works includes $15.4 billion for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); $25 billion for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); $3.3 billion for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); $9.4 billion for Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne); $1 billion for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and $2.1 billion for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“CH&PA continues its efforts and its programmes to assist our citizens and fulfil our mandate of bringing adequate housing to our citizens across the country,” Greaves shared.
Domino effect
Minister Coral charged contractors to meet the deadlines since delays have a trickle-down effect that will ultimately affect every other aspect of fulfilling the government’s mandate to deliver.
“We have made commitments to the people of Guyana and applicants who are waiting for their lots. Therefore, you have to make sure you meet the timelines. There is a domino effect every time we have a delay in the project execution. It hurts you because the longer you take to deliver, it costs you more to deliver your project. Then we have the beneficiaries who are waiting,” he told contractors.
The Minister shared that there will be more site visits this year, and more mechanisms to ensure contractors perform on time. According to him, the Ministry will be taking a different approach this year to ensure that timelines are met.
“There are going to be more visits by myself and the other leaders in our Ministry. And there is going to be the application of ensuring that the timelines are met so clear instructions will be given to the project department for the application of liquidated damages. We can’t afford to have project overruns,” the Minister positioned.
