The Guyana Government has plans to widen the East Bank Demerara (EBD) road by eight feet from Providence to Timehri. According to the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, the push for the expansion is geared at alleviating congestion and improving connectivity along this vital transportation route.
The VP said contractors will soon commence work. Guyana Standard understands that mentioned area will be expanded by four feet on each side.
Additionally, progress has been made regarding the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. Jagdeo said that consultants have been selected, and contractors have been prequalified. The consultants are currently conducting a review of the design and works to pave the highway could commence before the year’s end.
Touching on international funding for transformative projects, Jagdeo said that President Dr Irfaan Ali has been engaged in an extensive campaign of economic diplomacy abroad. He said that the president has managed to “open a lot of doors” to international lending institutions. He noted that the US$150M loan from the Saudi Fund will facilitate the acceleration of the government’s housing program.
Originally targeting the allocation of 50,000 house lots within its five-year term, the government has made progress, with approximately 30,000 lots already distributed. However, the demand in Region Three alone is staggering, as 14,000 individuals are still awaiting housing solutions. Therefore, an immediate allocation of $100 million from the loan will address this pressing need, the VP said.
To date, the government has managed to finance the four-lane road expansion on the East Bank of Demerara up to Diamond using local funds. However, there is a bottleneck at Grove that necessitates additional resources. As a result, the government is actively seeking further international funding to extend the road all the way to Soesdyke, effectively bypassing this chokepoint.
