In the 2024 budget presentation themed ‘Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All,’ Senior Finance Minister of Guyana, Dr. Ashni Singh, unveiled a substantial allocation of over $200 billion dedicated to transformative infrastructure projects.
The primary focus of this budget is the extensive enhancement of the country’s roads and bridges, aiming to bolster transportation and connectivity on a national scale.
A noteworthy allocation of $10.5 billion is earmarked for the ongoing transformation of the Railway Embankment Road into a four-lane highway, stretching from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau and further to the Mahaica River bridge.
Additionally, $15.5 billion is dedicated to the completion of the East Coast to East Bank Road linkage from Ogle to Eccles.
Further infrastructure developments include an $8 billion budget for the continuation of the construction of the Diamond to Busby Dam Road, connecting to the Busby Dam to Timehri four-lane highway.
Another $4.1 billion is allocated for the Diamond to Grove bypass road to facilitate the East Bank Highway’s upgrade from Good Success to Timehri.
The Westside is set to benefit from a $9 billion allocation for the construction of a new four-lane highway.
Progress on the Parika to Goshen route and the Sand Hills to Makouria link, facilitating movement between the Essequibo River and the Demerara River, is supported with a $1.5 billion budget.
The Linden-Soesdyke Highway rehabilitation is allocated $10 billion, with construction of the new Wismar Bridge receiving a substantial budget of $4.2 billion.
Significant advancements are expected in the Linden to Mabura Hill Road and the completion of 45 concrete bridges along the route from Mabura to Lethem, supported by a $10 billion budget.
Anticipating the signing of a contract for the Corentyne River Bridge, the government has allocated funds for the upgrading and widening of the Corentyne Highway into a four-lane highway, reconstruction of 99 structures, and removal of utilities from the right-of-way.
In addition to these road and bridge projects, the budget includes allocations of $8.1 billion for the improvement of river transportation services and $6.9 billion for enhancing the resilience of the country’s sea defence structures.
The substantial investment in infrastructure underscores the government’s commitment to comprehensive development, with a focus on bolstering connectivity, transportation networks, and overall national progress.