Some gov’t ministries, agencies to be replaced by high rise office complexes

Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill on Tuesday announced that the government has taken steps to commence work which will see several interlinked government ministries and agencies, which are operating in different buildings, housed in high rise, multi-storey office complexes.

This was revealed as Edghill defended a $2.6M allocation in the 2022 budget for geotechnical studies, designs, supervisory services and advance payment for civil works.

The first ministry to benefit from this move is the Ministry of Public Works and its agencies, which are currently conducting business from different offices.

The agencies that fall under the Ministry of Public Works, although housed separately, include the Maritime Administration and the Transports and Harbours Department.

Edghill said the final design will be decided after discussions with the architect but he noted that the new facility will be constructed on vacant land in close proximity to the ministry in Kingston, Georgetown.

“…and this will be duplicated several times,” he said while noting that he was not prepared to answer further questions at this time.

“I hate to disappoint the Member [of Parliament] but I cannot share with him what he is requesting since that is still a work in progress,” Edghill said as former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson sought further details.

Asked about what the government intends to do with the current buildings once they become vacant, Edghill said established process will be followed should there be acquisitions by investors.

He pointed out that these are buildings located along the bank of the Demerara River.

“Guyana’s development is not left to chance and is not made up as we go along. Everything we do is strategic, purposeful and well thought out,” the minister added.

He told his colleague Parliamentarians that this was among moves by the government to modernise Guyana.