Mahaica-Rosignol road part of government’s overall development plan – President Jagdeo

 

Georgetown, GINA, August 16, 2006.

Investments in the country’s infrastructure form part of government’s wider vision to improve the lives of citizens and their welfare by making them comfortable and establishing integral linkages.

These sentiments were expressed today by President Bharrat Jagdeo in his address to the gathering at the commissioning of the Mahaica-Rosignol road rehabilitation project which was completed with the construction of the Mahaicony by-pass road.

The project, which started in June 2003 was undertaken at an overall cost of approximately US$24M through a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It was executed by DIPCON Engineering Services and included construction of the by-pass road at a cost of approximately US$2.5M.

“When you see development taking place such as roads, schools and hospitals, we are helping to solve some of the difficulties our people are facing and helping to create a more comfortable life for everyone,” the Head of State said.

He noted that some people may want to suggest that these infrastructure are being executed with loans that have to be repaid. However, the President explained that there was a debt burden of $2.1B when government took office in 1992 and in spite of the $800M borrowed by the present administration, the current debt is just $900M.

“What we’ve done is we’ve paid more in debt servicing than we have borrowed loans from abroad,” he said.

“I want you to understand this so that when you see the infrastructure going up, we are doing so in a sustainable manner, because if you manage the economy well, you can continue building the infrastructure and solve the tasks of the people without harming the macro economic fundamentals,” the President explained.

He noted that government’s plan to create infrastructural linkages to integrate the country with other South America nations would increase trade tremendously. Construction of the Berbice River Bridge, the road from New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek and upgrading of the road from Guyana to Brazil, projects which are currently ongoing would complement this objective. In addition, the construction of a deep water harbour in Berbice is expected to be done within the next year.

The Head of State pointed out that the construction of the by-pass road would further develop Mahaicony and the Region since it would allow for more investments in the area and the value of property would increase.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Harry Narine Nawbatt said the Mahaica/Rosignol road is one in a series of projects that are being executed by government.

Other projects ongoing include several roads in New Amsterdam, the Black Bush Polder, Mara and De Hoop roads. In South Georgetown areas roads are also being constructed under an allocation of approximately $200M.

The Minister cited several road safety problems including stray animals and charged the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to make an effort to remove the animals by impounding them. Parents were urged to ensure that their children refrain from playing on the roadways and that citizens be vigilant to stop vandalism of the infrastructure including reflectors, which are sometimes removed.

The issue of overloaded vehicles, which often damage the road was another issue raised by the Minister, who appealed to drivers to desist from such practices.

Resident Representative of the IDB, Sergio Vargas-Olea complimented the President and government for yet another accomplishment in the goal to develop the country.

“I would like to congratulate President Jagdeo and the government he leads for this achievement and also for his vision for the future of this country, a vision that gradually materialises as we are witnessing today by the commissioning of this by-pass,” he said.

The road, he said is one example of a historical partnership between the IDB and the government for the sustainable development of the socioeconomic development of the country.

Manager of DIPCON, Vishnu Mungal also delivered brief remarks at the ceremony as well as Regional Chairman of Region Five, Harrinarine Baldeo, who chaired the programme.

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