Yachts, jetboats, restaurants – Edghill outlines vision for new Parika terminal

…as works progressing on new Schoonord to Parika 4-lane highway

Works are progressing on the new Parika Port Facility in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), which Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill has said will contribute to the overall development of the region.
In a live broadcast on Monday, Edghill emphasised that under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali, all regions across the country will experience development and all citizens will benefit from opportunities to advance their lives.
In Region Three, he explained that the modern terminal will boost the agriculture and tourism sectors, will creating avenues for entrepreneurs to thrive.
“We want to put in a mariner’s facility. People who come to Guyana with their yachts must be able to be there in a safe environment. The Parika toll will have immigration, will have customs, CANU, all the other services. Nearby to that terminal, we have engaged the Ministry of Agriculture, we have engaged the Fisheries Department where we could do processing, storage in areas that are near to that. So, you bring out your produce, you get them inspected, you get them packaged and you get them shipped from Parika,” the minister outlined.
“That whole Parika front as part of the development plan would be to allow us to build out the necessary night entertainment. Just like you go to other parts of the world, on the water top, you could go and get a good trout or a good snapper prepared, roasted, baked, curried or whatever. And from that disjointed, messy looking, confusing to the mind of some people who are not familiar, you will see a brand-new modern terminal that is promoting economic activity…That’s where the jetboats will take off from with the tourists that want to explore our waterways. Restaurants, adequate toilet facilities, more facilities for the mooring or berthing of our roll-on, roll-on vessels,” he added.
Back in June, a contract was awarded for the first phase of the new US$20 million Parika Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project. Phase one of this project includes foundation works and river defence, totalling more than $4.5 billion.
Executing the first phase of works are contractors Gaico Construction, Toolsie Persaud Limited, and A&S General Contractors.
Before the project design was greenlighted, consultations were held with all stakeholders, including farmers, minibus drivers, taxi drivers, boat operators, and businesses, essentially all agencies that currently operate from the area.
In phase two of the project, a marina, for yachts arriving from the Caribbean and elsewhere, will be established. Additionally, the entire waterfront will also be developed for entertainment and restaurants, providing tourists access to Essequibo’s rich, untapped beauty and biodiversity.
The modern international port facility at Parika is one of several critical transport upgrades being implemented nationwide to support Guyana’s economic expansion, regional connectivity and tourism development.

Vital function for farmers
In June, President Irfaan Ali had disclosed that the Parika Port will have cold storage facilities and a packaging house, helping the facility to serve a vital function for the farmers of Region Three and providing a launching pad to export produce directly to the Caribbean.
Meanwhile, in his live broadcast on Monday, Edghill also outlined how the new Schoonord to Parika four-lane highway will further contribute to the development of the region.
“At this stage, the first set of bridges have already been awarded, the entire alignment is cleared, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, the road, the design and the build-out of the road is moving forward with great urgency to be able to get that done. Now what will that mean? More lands will be available through, when we open up that highway, access to lands for housing, so people who are awaiting their house lot with proper infrastructural development will be able to get there. Georgetown has become congested in terms of finding space, whether it’s manufacturers or people who are involved in industry. When we open up that highway and we have more lands, just like you see happening at Heroes Highway, we’ll be able to get those huge warehouses built out,” Edghill explained.
The Schoonord to Parika Four-Lane Highway, which has an estimated project cost of $15.1 billion, is being built in phases (including the already opened Schoonord to Crane section).