Georgetown : Guyanese will soon be able to boast of state-of-the-art waterfront facilities which are on par with those in the Caribbean as a result of billions of dollars being approved in the 2016 budget to transform the country’s water front and port facilities.
Minister of Finance Winston Jordan recently informed the National Assembly that this development will target the areas of Kitty, Kingston, Stabroek, Vreed-en-Hoop, Supenaam and Skeldon.
The initiative is expected to serve as a recreational and tourist attraction, and will create opportunities for small business development. The proposed project will include boardwalks, recreational areas, modernised ramps for ferries and water taxis and a dockyard for yachts.
These projects are being funded by the Government of Guyana and the UK-Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (DFID) and will focus on stellings and wharf development, waterfront development, port development and airstrips and aerodromes’ development
Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson recently informed the House that these transformation projects as conceived by the coalition government are estimated to cost $6.5B. “We will no longer build wharves…we’re upgrading to the tune of $472M the Parika Stelling to a water front development…$1.1B is earmarked to provide similar renovation upgrade to Port Kaituma,” Minister Patterson outlined.
Additionally $157M will be used to upgrade Kumaka’s port and $1.1B to improve the Transport and Harbours Stelling in Georgetown. “Immediately next to it is Stabroek market wharf…we will be building concessionary stands and floating ramps to accommodate speedboats… to top it all off we will be doing a walkway linking the Stabroek market to Transport and Harbours wharf, all for $1.1B,” Minister Patterson emphasised.
Further, $3.6B will be utilised for Sea Defence and Land Reclamation, whilst a boardwalk will be constructed from Kingston to Ogle.
In Skeldon, Region Six similar constructions will be done, complete with concession stands powered by solar energy and a recreational area with space for speedboat operators and the travelling public. A similar structure will also be constructed in Region Two.
These investments form part of the administration’s vision for the transformation of the country’s infrastructure. This above all else, will provide the necessary attractions needed for tourists which will eventually stimulate the economy.
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