Georgetown will not suffer for City Hall’s ‘incompetence’ – Edghill

…drainage, roadworks kick off across city amid rainy season

With the rainy season almost in full swing and residents fear flooding, the Public Works Ministry has commenced mass infrastructural works to tackle long-standing infrastructure issues across Georgetown, including crumbling roads, damaged bridges, and clogged drains.

On Saturday, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, led a team of engineers on a series of site inspections across several vulnerable communities. Areas visited included Agricola, Container City, Rasville, Benn Kirton Drive, Rivers View, Sussex and Hill Street, Middle Road, Barbie Dam, Bamboo Drive, Meadow Brook, Kitty, Bel-Air Park, North Sophia, and Merriman’s Mall.
During the site visits to some of the communities, residents expressed frustration at what they described as years of neglect by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (G/MCC), with many pointing to poor drainage and weak road infrastructure as primary causes of frequent flooding and mobility challenges, particularly during heavy rainfall.
In response, Edghill gave clear assurance that immediate interventions are on the horizon, instructing engineers to collect names of residents to facilitate return visits, allowing for detailed technical assessments and the development of community-specific action plans.
“The Government of Guyana will not neglect Georgetown or any ward in Georgetown because of the incompetence and the infantile politics of City Hall,” he emphasised stating that, “People are suffering and we will intervene. The government will do what it takes to ensure the lives and livelihoods of people are improved.”
This initiative forms part of a broader plan being spearheaded by People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration to address infrastructural issues affecting citizens across the country.
In 2024, the Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) managed over 4500 public infrastructure projects, engaging small, medium and large-scale contractors from across Guyana.
This included the $475 million Cemetery Road Project, 21 contracts for 2.7 kilometer (km) of concrete roads and 10 contracts for 9.8km for all sub districts in Region One (Barima-Waini), seven contracts for 35 km of laterite road in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 42 contract for 2.5 km, 66 community participation contracts for roads in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), seven contract for 350 km of laterite road, and 1.5km each in four main villages across Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 21 Contracts for 14.6 km, 16 contract for 1 km in Kwakwani, 32 contracts for 2 km in Ituni and 31 contracts for 2km in Coomaka in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
Specifically, of the 4500 public infrastructure projects, more than 3,000 community roads were completed nationwide with small contractors playing a pivotal role in this transformative initiative.
In Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) alone, over 300 contractors executed projects worth more than $4 billion.
In addition to road improvements, nearly 200 bridges are being constructed across Guyana. In Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 45 of 46 bridges leading to Lethem are being replaced, enhancing connectivity. Major projects such as the construction of two four-lane bridges—one across the river at Wismar and another underway—are reshaping the nation’s infrastructure landscape.