By Delicia Janneire
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has officially closed the US$66 million loan for the Sheriff to Mandela Avenue Road Project, following numerous setbacks and delays.
Originally initiated in 2013, the project officially started in 2019 after design modifications under the previous administration.
At a closeout workshop held at Grand Coastal Hotel, IDB Country Representative Lorena Solórzano highlighted the lessons learned during the project.
These will guide future initiatives, including the East Bank Road Improvement Project.
Solórzano emphasized the importance of strengthening project management frameworks and minimizing disruption to businesses along road corridors.
Mark Greene, the project manager for IDB projects, noted the implementation of an updated checks and balances system for future projects.
A new “Resolve” app, which allows for real-time communication between the public and project teams, will be used in upcoming developments.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, Valdim Persaud, acknowledged the IDB’s longstanding partnership with Guyana.
Through the loan, additional initiatives were also undertaken, including a sustainable urban transport study and road safety diagnostic.
The scope of the Sheriff to Mandela project involved widening lanes, installing sidewalks, streetlights, traffic signs, drainage works, and the construction of two roundabouts.