“Not vanity projects” – Jagdeo to critics of infrastructure, economic enhancements

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has pushed back firmly against critics who dismiss the government’s expansive public infrastructure programme as superficial or politically timed, asserting instead that the new roads, bridges, hospitals, and hotels are strategic investments that are already reshaping Guyana’s economic and social fabric.
“These are not vanity projects,” Jagdeo stated in a wide-ranging address. “They are vital arteries of national development that reduce costs, create jobs, open up land, drive investment, and provide services to people who never had proper access before.”
Citing the Heroes Highway, Jagdeo explained that infrastructure like this not only shortens transit time and cuts costs for commuters and businesses but also triggers major secondary economic activity. He pointed to the boom in hotels, malls, and housing near new road corridors as proof.
“Just look at the growth from South Georgetown outward,” he said. “That development didn’t just happen. It’s the result of planning and strategic investment in infrastructure.”
He also noted how new access roads are linking hospitals like Diamond Hospital to surrounding communities, improving emergency healthcare response and making medical services more accessible.
Opening up the hinterland and the coast
Jagdeo highlighted the Linden–Lethem corridor, where 45 concrete bridges are being constructed (with one remaining—the Kurupukari Bridge), replacing ageing wooden structures that frequently collapsed, and limited trade.
“These bridges are crucial for trade with Brazil and for lowering the cost of living in Regions 8 and 9,” Jagdeo said. “When goods can move by road instead of air, it transforms economic opportunity.”
Similarly, the new Demerara River Bridge, which will be toll-free and capable of handling heavy container traffic 24/7, is expected to dramatically reduce congestion, unlock development in Region Three, and enable more reliable port access.
“The old bridge was a bottleneck for everything—from goods to people,” he said. “Now you’ll have night and day movement of freight without restrictions.”
Jagdeo also pointed to major investments in utilities and public services, including 13 new water treatment plants for safer potable water, the gas-to-energy project, slated to transform electricity reliability and costs by 2026, and six new regional hospitals, with Diamond already opened and others nearing completion.
“These are long-term projects that started years ago—not election gimmicks,” Jagdeo said, countering accusations that the flurry of openings is timed for political advantage.
He also highlighted the success of government incentives in attracting 12 new hotels, which will create an estimated 6,000 jobs and bolster Guyana’s ability to host tourists and business visitors. These include land price concessions, tax holidays, and repatriation incentives introduced even during the pandemic.
“Those hotels didn’t appear out of thin air. They’re the result of deliberate policy choices and confidence in this government’s direction,” he stated.