Govt awards contract for 1st phase of $4B Parika port facility

As part of efforts to advance the agricultural sector and secure higher profits for farmers, the Government of Guyana has awarded a contract worth $4 billion for the first phase of the international port facility at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

President Irfaan Ali made the announcement during a community meeting with residents of Hubu Village on Thursday, revealing that the major investment will include cold storage, agro-processing, and packaging facilities, to support farmers and boost agricultural exports across the Caribbean.
According to the President, this initiative aims to reduce production costs, increase efficiency, improve profitability, extend the shelf life of produce, and enhance value creation.
“But your communities especially, the farming community—the discussion I want to have with you today is how do we advance the modernisation of your communities… There are some key investments that we are going to guarantee you—investments we will make to reduce your cost of production, increase your efficiency, give you greater profitability, extend the shelf life of your produce, and help you with value creation,” President Ali stated.
He emphasised that the development of the Parika port will play a crucial role in improving market access and strengthening Guyana’s agricultural output.
“Let us begin with what is happening at Parika. We have just awarded the contract for the first phase of an international port facility that will be at Parika. That facility will have cold storage for farmers, agro-processing facilities, and packing stations. The initial investment is almost US$20 million—equivalent to GY$4 billion,” he said.
President Ali further explained that the international port is also expected to accommodate a regional ferry service. However, for this to proceed, essential infrastructural works must be completed.
The regional ferry service, a joint initiative between the Governments of Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago, will operate out of Parika once launched.
According to a communiqué issued following the 43rd Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government held in July 2022 in Suriname, this initiative is among several regional strategies to help reduce the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
“We are already working on getting a ferry service in place that will take your produce to markets all across the Caribbean. But to prepare for those markets, we also have to build the necessary infrastructure. We must invest in drainage and irrigation so that we have the best lands available,” the Head of State emphasised.
He noted that the Government must also invest in productivity and increasing farmers’ yields.
“We have to invest in helping you reduce your transportation costs—these are the things we know are critical. But before we get to this next phase of development over the coming years—within the next year or two—these investments must be made.”
Although announced about a year ago, Guyana Times has reported that plans for the inter-regional ferry service connecting Guyana, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago are still underway.
CARICOM officials, in a recent exclusive interview with Guyana Times, confirmed that efforts are continuing to prioritise the launch of the regional passenger and cargo ferry service.
These plans are being spearheaded by CARICOM Heads of Government as part of their broader food security and integration agenda.
Back in May 2022, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago had embarked on setting up a ferry service between the two countries to transport people and cargo.
During a joint press conference between President Ali and T&T’s Prime Minister (PM) Dr Keith Rowley in Georgetown, the two nations had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in several areas.