Presidential outreach: Street lighting, new roads pushed for by Region 3 residents – PS
Permanent Secretary of the Public Works Ministry, Vladim Persaud has zeroed in on some of the infrastructural needs raised by residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), most of which circled around street lighting and additional roads.
Speaking with the media on Friday, the PS explained that in many instances, persons were told that the works were already budgeted for some of the areas highlighted – a good sign for the Ministry. Calls ranged from street lights, bridges, additional roads, drains among other public infrastructure necessities.
“The fact that you have persons identifying areas that doesn’t have street lighting etc, that is bringing it to a forum. While it fits into part of a planning process, it is one which we will put into the context of priority and act immediately,” Persaud reasoned.
Residents shared their concerns regarding infrastructure with the Ministry during the two-day outreach
This was the second presidential outreach held where the Public Works Ministry was on the ground to listen to concerns. From the last one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the Ministry was able to act in a short time to have certain issues fixed.
“Not only coming out of this outreach but also the President’s first outreach in Region Six, we have many of those roads and we have been able to take action in a very short time. The framework that we have is similar and I think it is great because not only are we able to [hear individual] cases but it showcases what the Government is doing under President Ali’s programme for the region.”
In 2023, the Government of Guyana allocated $136.1 billion in the National Budget to upgrade or create new road and bridge networks across the country. This was a notable hike from the $67.9 billion spent in 2022 to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the country.
A breakdown shows allocations for projects such as widening of the Corentyne Highway from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek; the East Bank Road linkage from Ogle to Eccles; upgrading the East Bank road from Prospect to Timehri; a new four-lane highway from Schoonord to Crane; the Ituni to Tacama road; and rehabilitating the Linden-Soesdyke Highway among others.
For other linkages, works will progress for the Kurupukari Crossing Bridge and Wismar Bridge. (G12)
