By Svetlana Marshall
The first phase of the new Eccles to Ogle 4-lane highway was commissioned on Monday evening by President Irfaan Ali, with the announcement of further expansion of the key link between the East Coast of Demerara to the East Bank of Demerara.
The highway, which was constructed by Indian company, Ashoka Buildon Limited, begins at the Ogle Airport access road on the East Coast Demerara, and connects to the Eccles roundabout on the East Bank of Demerara.
It stretches for more than 11.63 kilometers.
The Government has announced plans to build several other access roads and open of more lands along the new highway for housing and business opportunities.
Dubbed the “corridor of opportunity” by President Irfaan Ali, the US$133.8M highway was constructed with financing from the Government of Guyana, and the Government of India, through the Exim Bank of India.
In an address at the Commissioning, President Ali said the new highway will see the opening up of tens of thousands of new house-lots, and aid in the advancement of the third phase of housing development along the East Coast-East Bank Corridor.
Hotels, hospitals, and industrial and manufacturing hubs are also expected to line the corridor in the near future, according to the President.
“In this short space, we have six new hotels, you will have six new hotels, all internationally branded hotels and three of those hotels are already under construction nearing completion. We have six new hotels, you will have five new hospitals, public and hospitals just along this stretch, tens of thousands of new homes, three massive industrial hub and two massive manufacturing hubs,” President Ali said.
The President said the four-lane highway forms part of his Government’s vision to advance growth and development in the country, and create a conducive environment for Guyanese to live comfortably, but also for business to flourish.
He announced that the Private Sector is already looking to invest US$500M in initiatives along the corridor.
“In new investment, this is private investment on private property that is interconnected on this highway, there is an investment, private investment of over US$500M. That is not the hotels and hotels I am talking about, these are now new investments that the private sector is discussing now that will come on stream – US$500M,” he added.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said the project was long in the pipeline, dating back to the Presidency of Donald Ramotar. He said today, it has finally materialized with 45.76% of the total contract sum coming from the Government of India, through the Exim Bank of India, and the remaining 54.24% coming from the Government of Guyana through the Consolidated Fund.
Initially, it was designed to be a two-lane road from Ogle to Haags Bosch, but according to Minister Edghill, a decision was subsequently taken by Cabinet to convert the road into a four-lane highway.
“At the same rates, we have approached Ashoka Buildcon to continue this road to Providence where it will connect with the new Demerara River Bridge. So, there will be a seamless transfer that when you come off the bridge, the roundabout that is being constructed right now at Heroes Highway, then you continue for another 2km to connect with this, then you can get along. It is visionary leadership, and ensuring the best for the people of Guyana,” Minister Edghill explained.
It was noted that part of the new highway was built by GuyAmerica Construction at the cost of $2.63B.
High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Amit Telang said the vital link connects not only the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara, but also India and Guyana.
“I am sure this road linkage will stand testimony to the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Guyana. Today, as I stand here on behalf of the Government of India, I bring to you, greetings also from 1.4 Billion people of India who consider Guyana a very special friend and a trusted and very valuable partner. We are connected through our people and today we redefine that partnership which is becoming deeper and stronger through this very important link, which will become a symbol of the expanding economic and developmental partnership between our two countries,” High Commissioner Telang said.
The Government has been working on a number of major road projects, linking several communities as part of its infrastructure push. There are several other highway projects currently under construction.
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