President promises Corentyne Bridge, road link with Brazil, if re-elected

President Donald Ramotar has promised to deliver a bridge across the Corentyne River and a road linking Guyana and Brazil should he be re-elected President at this year’s elections.

In his New Year address Ramotar said: “during the next term of office, my Government will work with our partners to bridge the Corentyne River and to complete the road from Brazil along with the accompanying deep water harbour.”

Back in 2013 Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon had said that some preliminary works have been completed and ground work will begin shortly on the bridge project. He had said that a final decision is yet to be made regarding the construction of the bridge, but discussions are continuing and officials are now looking to finalise preliminary studies to continue with the project. Funding for the project has been an ongoing deliberation between Suriname, Guyana and international financial institutions.

Dr Luncheon said the two countries have signalled strong support for the establishment of land linkages across the Corentyne River. The initiative was identified as one of a series of projects that would further physically integrate South America at a recent Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) meeting. During his presidential campaign, Surinamese President Desi Bouterse had promised to build a bridge across the Corentyne River, should he be elected. Bouterse had said that it is necessary for technical assessments to be done before the project meets the construction phase.

Affordable energy

Meanwhile, Ramotar also declared emphatically that “high amongst (the) priorities will be to ensure the achievement of more affordable and more reliable energy.” The reason he proffered is manifold, and what it can realise when completed. “For too long, Guyanese have looked forward to harnessing our country’s vast hydropower potential. The time for realising this dream is long overdue.  “At the heart of all these developments, will be our aim to improve the quality of life, enjoyed by every Guyanese citizen.  Opportunities will be created for persons to find gainful employment, and to acquire the skills necessary to take up those opportunities.  Amongst the initiatives we will pursue, is the aim of achieving Universal Computer Literacy, (so) ensuring that each and everyone can assume his/her rightful place in the modern, technology-driven world,” he stated in his address to the nation.

New road link

The idea of road/bridge networking was also mentioned. The President explained that “… the feasibility study for the East Coast-East Bank bypass road has been completed and (in discussion are the) next steps to advance this project, that has awesome ramifications. It is set to … catalyse US$65 million in investment, building 20 kilometres of roads and supporting infrastructure.  Furthermore, in the first half of 2015, we will be constructing an alternative link between Diamond and Eccles that will greatly relieve traffic congestion for commuters on the East Bank of Demerara.” This of course means thousands of job opportunities.

Unreliable and unaffordable electricity continues to be the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Guyana.  My Government will deliver the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project to the Guyanese people, along with all its attendant benefits.” He said “Within months, (he is expecting) to achieve financial closure and (so) commence construction…” The flagship of the LCDS is the AFHP, he said, and added that, “I am pleased to announce that Norway has transferred earnings from our partnership of approximately US$80 million to the Inter-American Development Bank to fund part of Guyana’s equity share in the project. This is a significant accomplishment. It demonstrates that all partners have strong confidence in Amaila. The project is once again moving forward.”

The President repeated that Guyana is one of the very few countries in the world, receiving compensation for the sustainable management of the forests. Under this LCDS and in partnership with Norway, Guyana recently received its fourth payment, bringing the total earned thus far to US$150 million. It is the funds earned from this kind of prudent management that the AFHP is becoming more and more visible. In 2015, he stated the Government will continue to break new development ground under the LCDS. “We will launch initiatives targeted at flood prevention dealing with both coastal community drainage systems and the larger conservancies. We will catalyse the ecotourism sector through several interventions so that Guyanese can more fully take advantage of our country’s natural and cultural assets,” he said.

In addition, work will advance on a Biodiversity Centre that will showcase Guyana’s unique biodiversity to the world and to school children, some of whom have not had the opportunity to travel to interior locations.

Housing

The areas of works to be continued include just about every sector, as each has seen significant progress in the recent past. For example, the housing sector has seen impressive growth over the past five years.  The President detailed that, “From 2009 to 2014 the budgetary allocation to the sector has grown by 400%.  In 2009, the Ministry was implementing 51 projects, now in 2014; there are 170 projects under implementation.  The sector has been a boom for job creation, directly creating 3,500 jobs in 2014, a figure that is projected to grow to 4,250 in 2015.’  “In just the past three years we have increased monthly Old Age Pension by 75 percent to Gy$13,125.  This is light years from where we came when it was a paltry few hundred dollars and our seniors were subjected to the humiliating means test.” Now the criterion is just age.

President Ramotar reminded all that “Over just the two and a half years to mid-year 2014, the size of the economy increased by 25 percent to Gy$650 billion, (and) our country has attracted more than US$629 million in foreign direct investment, credit to the private sector has grown by 41.5 percent to Gy$190.5 billion, and total deposits in the commercial banks has grown by 22.1 percent to Gy$334.6 billion.”

All of this was achieved despite the fact that the international environment was not favourable for some of the important sectors of the economy, he said, as he mentioned the notable fall on the international market for the price of gold, the decline in sugar price on the world market by 60 percent, and rice facing similar challenges of market availability, unfavourable price movement, and late payments.