Linden to Mabura Road link will be “completely transformative” – British envoy

The United Kingdom-funded Linden to Mabura Road will be a transformative link for the people of Guyana in opening accessibility, and fortifying trade within the South American region.

This was the position shared by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, OBE, on Thursday evening, as she lauded the potential that the climate-resilient roadway will bring to the country.
“I believe this road will be completely transformative, not only to Linden, Lethem and communities along the road but nationwide and also to the Region. The road will enable better access to healthcare, education, jobs for families but ultimately when the road goes all the way to Lethem, it will be a trade corridor enabling greater trade and access to markets to Northern Brazil,” she acclaimed.

The US$190 million contract was signed last month with Brazilian company Construtora Queiroz Galvao SA for the construction of the 121-kilometre road. In addition to the contract signing, a sod-turning ceremony was held at the Wisroc Junction in Linden, marking the starting point of the road construction process.
The project is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) via a US$112 million loan, a grant to the tune of £50 million (US$66 million) from the United Kingdom under the Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (CIPF), and an input of US$12 million from the Guyana Government. This is the largest grant Guyana has ever received from the Government of UK.
With a 7.2-metre-wide carriageway, the Linden-to-Mabura Road will feature a cycle and pedestrian lane measuring 2 metres wide, along with 10 bus stops outfitted with ramps for persons with disabilities. Additionally, a number of bridges and culverts along the way will be replaced, and some 123 lights would be installed.
In its commitment to this project, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Administration has set aside some $3 billion in the 2022 budget for the construction of 32 bridges along the Linden-to-Lethem Road link.
However, the envoy was keen to point out her government’s commitment to the global climate change fight. Credit was given to Guyana for pursuing its low-carbon and climate agenda, despite being an oil producer.
Speaking on the country’s green footprint potential, Miller expressed, “I have seen through my time here that the investments and the Low Carbon Development Strategy, how Guyana can convert that into long-term sustainable development, transitioning into renewable energy, ensuring jobs, long-term growth in agriculture, services, tourism that will last long beyond the world’s thirst for oil.”
She added, “The UK will continue to support that on your agenda. For many years, we have been supporting the forestry sector…Guyana’s forest is the same size as England and Guyana has one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world.”
Some climate-driven projects supported by the UK include the SMART Hospitals initiative, solar energy at Moraikobai Lodge and funding for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).