Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 28, 2016 AFC Column, Features / Columnists
– Financing for new, innovative Infrastructure
(The following is an excerpt from Budget 2016 presented by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan)
ADDRESSING THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEFICIT
“The absence of well-developed infrastructure has impeded Guyana’s development in several ways. Inadequate
transport linkages across Guyana have increased production costs, making many of our products uncompetitive in world markets. Limited road, water and air access across Guyana has obstructed our ability to fully exploit the abundant opportunities in our Tourism and Natural Resources sectors.
Skewed transportation systems and road networks have thwarted the creation of employment in areas beyond the coastland. Sub-optimal infrastructure in housing settlements has prevented the development of sustainable communities. This is why this budget has placed a high priority on infrastructural development.
Our existing road network is incapable of meeting the rapid growth in vehicular traffic. The consequences of this mismatch are many, including frustration of all categories of road users; lost time and productivity, and frequent accidents, many of them deadly. The recently expanded East Bank Demerara Road is already incapable of accommodating the flow of traffic into the capital, while the East Coast and West Coast roads can be harrowing during rush hours.
To address this lacuna, the Government has concluded a sustainable urban transport plan which includes:
· A traffic model for Georgetown
· A parking management plan
· Regularization of mini-bus operations
· Provision of public transport facilities
· The use of public transport and non-motorized modes in the most congested areas.
In addition, we have budgeted $14.4 billion to continue the upgrade, expansion and rehabilitation of the network of roads and bridges. The Government is finalizing negotiations with the Government of China for the construction of the East Coast Highway from Better Hope to Belfield. In collaboration with the IDB, the Government will conduct studies and create designs for an improved East Coast Railway Embankment Road in 2016 which entails:
· Construction of bridges between Sheriff Street and Mahaica
· Upgrade of the current embankment road from Sheriff Street to Enmore
· Extension of the embankment road from Enmore to Mahaica
Additionally, we will invest over $5B in the reconstruction of Sheriff Street to facilitate improved traffic safety features including pedestrian overhead crossings at strategic locations.
Shortly, a US$50 million loan will be signed with the Government of India to construct a new road link between Ogle, ECD and Diamond EBD. This proposed new road will intersect several communities including Sophia, South and North Ruimveldt, Eccles and Providence, creating an alternative access route to these densely populated areas. It will expand business opportunities and open new lands for housing development. Over time, it is the vision of the Government to extend this East Bank-East Coast road to connect the Ogle International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. We will also invest $2.3 billion to upgrade the West Coast Demerara Road from Parika to Vreed-en-Hoop.
Connectivity between West Demerara and the Essequibo Coast and Islands is severely challenged by the aged floating bridge across the Demerara River. The daily traffic bottlenecks to access and exit the city create untold hardships for commuters and entrepreneurs alike. We must construct a fixed high-level bridge to facilitate easy commute and allow for improved river navigation. We are committed to this project and have made provision in this budget for a feasibility study. This is the first step to realizing a public/private partnership.
ADDRESSING DEPLORABLE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE HINTERLAND
The Government will pursue several initiatives to extend the integration of road networks into our intermediate savannahs. This will help to bridge the divide between our vast rural and hinterland communities and the coastland. A total of $6.72B has been allocated for the improvement of hinterland, rural and urban community roads in Bartica, Mahdia, Ituni to Kwakwani, Puruni/Itaballi, Mabaruma, Port Kaituma/Baramita and the Sophia ring road, among others.
In collaboration with the IDB, we will complete rehabilitation of the 47-year-old Soesdyke/Linden Highway while critical works are undertaken for its upkeep. Concurrently, maintenance works will be undertaken on the Linden-Kwakwani corridor. Over the longer term, we aim to fully pave this road to open access to the communities in Ituni, Aroaima, Kwakwani, Ebini, Kimbia and other remote areas along the Berbice River. A feasibility study for the reconstruction of the bridge which links Wismar and MacKenzie at Linden will also be carried out.
An alternative link to Bartica and other hinterland communities would be created when ongoing negotiations with our development partners are finalized to construct the Parika/Goshen road. Additional resources have been made available to expand efforts currently being undertaken to improve farm-to-market access roads at Parika, Ruby and Laluni. We are also in discussion with the same donor for new farm access interventions in Triumph, Buxton and Ithaca, in order to stimulate micro-farms and small scale agro-processing initiatives.
RIVER TRANSPORT
The full potential of residents living on the banks of our numerous rivers and waterways has been inhibited by the poor and inadequate river transport network. To vastly improve river connections between the coast and riverain areas and remote regions, the ageing fleet of vessels must be replaced.
The Government expects to conclude arrangements shortly with the Government of India for financing to procure new river transport vessels. In addition, private financing is being explored for the purchase of at least two ‘semi-new’ vessels. To complement the new fleet of ferries, emphasis will be placed on replacing navigational aids and improving conditions at stellings and wharves. To this end, the Government has started preparations to access the UK–Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (CIF) for the upgrade and reconstruction of several facilities, including those in Georgetown, Parika, Port Kaituma, Kumaka and Bartica.
UPGRADING PORT GEORGETOWN
Navigation into Port Georgetown is severely hampered (by the shallow draught of the Demerara Channel) and the presence of several sunken wreckages. This has restricted container traffic and increased the cost of shipping. Similarly, our main rivers and creeks are clogged and inaccessible to ferries and water taxis.
Government will aim to secure funding through the UK-CiF to purchase a dredge. It is expected that the dredge will be managed by collaboration between the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG).
The sum of $1.3B is also budgeted for the rehabilitation of the Bartica stelling and the goods wharf at Kingston; for docking of dredges and ferry vessels; dredging of the Demerara and Essequibo Rivers; and installation and maintenance of navigational aids.
Works will begin on a phased waterfront development programme over the next five years. This investment, estimated to cost over $1.6B, will see the development of state-of-the-art waterfront facilities which will be on par with those in the Caribbean. This development will target Kitty, Kingston, Stabroek, Vreed-en-Hoop, Supenaam and Skeldon. The proposed project will include boardwalks; recreational areas; modernized ramps for ferries and water taxis; and a dockyard for yachts. The initiative will serve as recreational facilities and tourist attractions, and will create opportunities for small business development.
AIRPORTS & AERODROMES
The advance of improved technologies and the ever-expanding list of travel destinations being offered to our people have encouraged Government to undertake a massive upgrade of our airports and aerodromes. An allocation of $5.2B has been made for the continued development of the air services industry including the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The improved facilities at the Ogle International Airport have led to increased services to multiple local and overseas destinations, inclusive of commercial flights at nights. The extension and upgrade of the Ogle runway has transformed the airport into a Regional hub linking Georgetown to Suriname, Barbados and Trinidad. We are currently pursuing financing to upgrade many of our hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Annai, Paramakatoi, Kurupung, Kato, Kopinang, Monkey Mountain and other locations. The Government is earmarking over $2B in the medium term, for its Airstrips and Aerodromes Improvement Programme …”
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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