Alliance For Change (AFC) leader Nigel Hughes has outlined an ambitious five-year development plan aimed at transforming transportation, agriculture, and trade across all 10 administrative regions. The proposal includes major projects such as a deep-water port at Clonbrook, a fast-ferry service to Mabaruma, turning Charity into an international agriculture hub, and the expansion of coconut and rice production.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Hughes said the plan reflects “a new paradigm” in regional development, which is aimed at creating wealth and economic opportunity nationwide, while also supporting the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) goal of reducing the region’s food import bill by 25% by 2030.
Hughes also examined the party’s regional plans, noting that for Region One, the AFC wants to re-establish the palm oil plantation and processing plant at Wauna, develop large-scale avocado production, and introduce a fast ferry service between Georgetown, Mabaruma, and Port Kaituma. The AFC also plans to upgrade the Mabaruma Wharf to facilitate regional exports as well as construct a gravel road linking Mabaruma, Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge, Baramita, Buck Hall, and Supenaam, in Region Two.
The opposition party also wants to upgrade the Supenaam Stelling, expand coconut production by supporting improved drainage and irrigation, and transform Charity into an international port hub for rice and coconut exports.
Turning to its plans for Region 3, the AFC said it wants to upgrade the Parika Stelling and create a similar facility at Vreed-en-Hoop. Completion of the Parika to Goshen Road and establishment of a roll-on, roll-off ferry between Goshen and Bartica is also on the cards.
For Region Four, the AFC stated that it aims to develop an urban transportn Park, reform the public transportation system, and introduce light rail and bu center at Durbas rapid transit systems linking Diamond, Mahaica, and Durban Park. A deep-water port is also planned at Clonbrook, Mahaica.
In Region Five, Hughes said the AFC wants to complete phases two and three of the Mahaica-Mahaicony Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) project to boost rice production. In the case of Region Six, Hughes spoke about the establishment of the Upper Canje reservoir scheme to unlock one million acres of agricultural land between Corriverton and Orealla, and develop Ebini and Kimbia as major agricultural centers for corn and soya bean production.
For Region Eight, the AFC stated that it will focus on hydropower development, in line with a 2018 report that identified potential sites in the region. Hughes also spoke of plans to expand commercial agriculture and tourism in the Pakaraimas, with upgrades to roads linking Santa Fe, Karasabai, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, and Orinduik.
Establishment of a logistics hub on the Linden to Manaus Road, is on the cards for Region Nine, along with the activation of the Lethem industrial area and free zone. Guyana Standard understands that the party envisions the development of the Lethem aerodrome as an air transport hub for Boa Vista and Manaus, along with upgrading the Linden-Annai-Lethem Roads.
In Region 10, the party leader said his party wants to make Linden a logistics center for the mining industry, with new bridges over the Berbice River at Takama, upgrades to the Linden-Ituni-Kwakwani road network, as well as a bridge connecting Kurupakari and Lethem. Hughes also spoke about the establishment of an industrial estate focused on gold mining.
