Int’l runway, hotels could transform Lethem into ‘huge growth pole’ – Jagdeo

Lethem, the capital of Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), could be further developed and solidified as a major commercial hub with new investments mulled for the region, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said recently.

“In Region Nine, we explained that with all of the developments in the region, the bridge, road etc… we are examining a proposal to build a full-fledged international runway so that the larger aircraft can land there,” Jagdeo said at his recent press conference.

Already, a $185 million extended runway was commissioned in Lethem in 2021.

Jagdeo said there are also considerations to build a food processing facility there so that food produced in the region and sourced from northern Brazil can be shipped directly to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

And there are new hotels under construction. So altogether, the Vice President believes these developments would help to further transform Lethem.

“…This would be a huge growth pole for the entire region,” Jagdeo posited.

Outside of the developments in Region Nine, the Vice President said the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government has plans for economic ventures in all administrative regions.

In Region One, for example, the development of a port and processing facilities to ship food directly to CARICOM is also being considered. In Region Six, Jagdeo said there should be an expansion of the sugar industry and even possibly, hemp production.