–thousands of jobs to created

On Monday, His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, officially opened the Eccles to Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara Interlink Road.

President Ali was joined by Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Hon. Susan Rodrigues, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Water, Mr. Andre Ally and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Mr. Sherwyn Greaves, among other officials.

The project, which symbolizes the fulfilment of yet another promise by the President Ali led Administration, was initiated by President Ali in 2013, who was Minister of Housing and Water at the time. It was then discontinued under the previous administration and revamped when the new Government took office last year.

 

“When we left office the foundation for the road was completed. For five years nothing happened and we came back and completed the project,” President Ali stated.

The $5 billion road project will enhance the travel landscape along the route, while also reducing daily commute time for over 18,000 residents.

In addition to this, the road is expected to generate employment opportunities for thousands of Guyanese and the creation of new housing areas.

“This area will be a reservoir for job creation. We will have more than three to four hundred acres of land developed specifically for industrial and commercial development,” the President stated, noting that a number of proposals have already been submitted.

The road begins from the fourth bridge along the Mocha Arcadia Access Road and ends at 6th Avenue, Great Diamond.

Using an inter-agency approach, the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Guyana Police Force have partnered and designed a safe road usage plan. The Head of State noted that this is the first time such an approach has been used to develop the plan. Through this two police outposts have been constructed along the route, with a third to be erected soon. The President has urged the ranks attached to serve the communities with professionalism. Plans are also inline to install cameras along the route that will aid in traffic management and law enforcement during the next phase of the project. Discussions are also underway for the road to be expanded for a safe jogging/exercise path.

This interlink road will be connected to the Eccles, East Bank Demerara to Mandela, Georgetown Four-lane Highway, which is currently under construction. The highway will create an alternative access route for thousands of commuters between the East Bank of Demerara and the capital city. Looking towards the future, the President also said that a link from Eccles, East Bank Demerara to Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara is also envisioned.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal stated that lack of adequate infrastructure including roadways has presented a number of challenges in developing sustainable housing schemes. In this regard, the said that the Ministry of Housing and Water will continue to pursue a number of projects over time to reduce these issues. He further highlighted that under this new Government, a comprehensive housing strategy has been rolled out that will see all new schemes being equipped with roads, access bridges, drainage systems and basic utilities. Minister Rodrigues also conveyed similar sentiments, noting that the country’s housing schemes and travel landscape must be modernized to make life easier for all Guyanese.

 

Photos: Sydel Thomas, CHPA PR Dept.