$18B approved as works ongoing on more than 1,000 roads countrywide

A total of $18.1 billion for works on miscellaneous roads and drainage was approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply on Monday and this sum will help advance the works ongoing at more than 1,000 community roads countrywide.

While defending the request for these supplementary funds, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said that works are ongoing on a total of 1,053 community roads in the country’s 10 regions.

“… we are creating history in Guyana’s road development project,” Edghill said.

Additionally, with these ongoing works, about 942 contractors have been engaged. Edghill also said much work will be done before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, other supplementary funding requests for the Ministry of Public Works were approved- totaling some $28.4 billion.

Additional resources for operational expenses at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority ($297 million) and the Transport and Harbours Department ($263.3 million) were approved. The funds for the latter agency were specifically requested due to the increased cost of fuel subsidies for ferry vessels and water taxis.

A $70 million sum was approved for security services; $2 billion for the East Bank to East Coast Demerara road linkage; $7.2 billion for the East Coast Demerara railway embankment expansion project; and, $938 million for the Linden- Mabura road and Kurupakari bridge project.

These sums all form part of Financial Paper No. 3, wherein $44.4 Billion is being sought.

Overall, the government is seeking parliamentary approval for another $47 billion in supplementary funding to offset the costs it incurred by agreeing to absorb the increase in electricity rates and other much-needed works such as the completion of roads and bridges.

Members of the National Assembly are considering this request on Monday.