From support for agriculture, to the synthetic track, the Bamia Primary School, and the McKenzie Bridge and sports club, President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured the residents of Linden that the Government is well on its way to addressing the issues most affecting them.
President Dr Irfaan Ali engages with residents in Linden during several meetings on Sunday
The President visited the mining town of Linden on Monday, during which he stopped in at the studios of 104.3 Boom FM. He was asked by the host about three specific projects – the synthetic athletic track, the new Amelia’s Ward/Bamia Primary School and the McKenzie Bridge and Sports club.
“All (these) projects are on our radar. And all (these) projects will see significant investment from this Government. And it’s not just these (these) projects. We’re working on expanding and improving water supply. We’re working on improving health care. We’re working on improving child-friendly environments. Recreational facilities.”
“We’re working on generating employment, building tourism. Expanding the economy of Linden. Opening up opportunities. Linking Linden and Region 10, with what is happening in the macro environment of our country. So those three areas, definitely,” President Ali further said.
The President also spoke of the initiatives they have already done for Linden in just two years, such as the 1000 homes project, the reopening of the call centre and the creation of jobs. Additionally, he said more employment initiatives would be facilitated. Then there is work on the Linden to Mabura road, which the Government is pursuing.
More than 100 Guyanese have found employment through the US$190 million Linden to Mabura Hill road construction project currently underway by Brazilian company Construtora Queiroz Galvao S.A.
The Linden to Mabura Road project is another avenue for economic advancement for residents and the region. Guyana signed the ground-breaking contract for the project in May this year, a venture which has been in the pipeline for decades.
The project is expected to last for three years, and would boost trade and open massive avenues for business ventures between Guyana and Brazil. The first phase of the project would see a two-lane highway being constructed from sand and dirt to an asphaltic concrete surface.
The road would be approximately 121 kilometres long and 7.2 metres wide. It will also include a cycle and pedestrian lane measuring 2 metres wide, along with 10 bus stops equipped with ramps for persons with disabilities.
Agriculture
During his visit, President Ali assured that Linden would get support from the Government for the agriculture sector, in direct response to the calls of residents. The President charged Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, who were present during the visit, with organising for Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and team to visit the area.
“As you know, agriculture is very important. Agriculture is something we are pushing not only in Guyana, but throughout the Region. So what we’re going to do and I’m going to ask Ministers Indar and Edghill to organise with Minister Zulfi, an agricultural team to come into the community to talk with you all and see how we can identify a single area that we can support the expansion of agriculture,” Ali said
Guyana’s increased focus on agriculture is testimony to the Government’s efforts to diversify the economy. The 2022 Mid-Year report shows that out of the $32.6 billion budgeted in the agriculture sector, $15.8 billion was spent. This money was spent on a number of things, including constructing major infrastructure, procurement of equipment and capacity building.
Government’s focus on agriculture is also down to the vision of making Guyana the bread basket of the Caribbean and reducing the regional food import bill. Last year, President Ali had declared that his Government would be pursuing an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent. (G3)
