$553M waterfront upgrade commissioned at Bartica Stelling

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Sunday morning commissioned the $553 million extended Bartica Stelling concrete facility, making Bartica, known as the “Gateway to the Interior,” better positioned to serve the growing demands of the Transport and Harbour sector in that region. The 23,000 square feet reinforced concrete Stelling will now provide additional space for vehicular and pedestrian ingress, egress and parking. It also features a new floating speedboat dock on the northern section to facilitate water taxi operations. The works completed also include the installation of a new floating link span bridge and the rehabilitation of the existing fixed mooring ramp.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Sunday, President Ali called the project a major investment in the region’s economic transformation, underscoring the port’s role in supporting tourism, mining, agriculture, and trade.
“This is an investment that we believe will help in the transformation of Region Seven,” the President said. “It is part of a broader vision to modernise Guyana’s waterfront infrastructure, integrate our transport systems and create opportunities that bring prosperity to everyone.”
He noted that the facility marks a new chapter for the township, serving as a testament to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration’s commitment to developing Bartica and positioning it to accommodate increased tourism traffic, as well as the transport of goods to and from the hinterland.

“This new Stelling brings structural stability to meet the demand of the gateway to the hinterland. It’s safer docking for vessels. Already we have added more vessels to this route. Here in Bartica, the gateway to the interior, you’re going to have four options of entrance and exit. The new Bartica Stelling, the Bartica Aerodrome – where we have just given permission to BK International and Jags Aviation to do it over and improve facilities – the new road that will come to Sandhills, Timehri all the way through to Falmouth that will cross over to Bartica or the traditional route through Rockstone-Shirima into Bartica. So people coming to Bartica will have options: air, sea and two road routes; and that is improving connectivity, accessibility and affordability. And that is what the PPP/C Government has been doing here in Region Seven and we celebrate all of that today,” he emphasised.
The standard and quality of work was lauded by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, who highlighted the re-tendered project was executed and completed within the contract sum by K&K Construction and Hardware Supplies, out of Bartica.

Minister Edghill noted that the works were completed within the contract sum, calling it “a job well done” by the contractor and his team. “This speaks to the visionary leadership of President Ali and the management style of the PPP/C Administration. We promised the people of Bartica we would get it finished and we have delivered,” he said.
Mayor of Bartica Anthony Murray described the commissioning as a “historic moment” for the township, noting that the facility will improve access, enhance safety, reduce costs for farmers and miners and open doors for new markets.
Meanwhile, a number of other Stellings across the country are earmarked to be transformed into modernised tourism terminals. One such facility is the Parika Stelling where phase one of the works has commenced.
The next phase of works to be done at the Bartica Stelling will see the creation of a new tourism marina facility.
Similar works are planned or underway in Vreed-en-Hoop, Supenaam, and Port Kaituma, a Department of Public Information (DPI) release noted.