Guyana is undergoing a transformation that will in the next five years, make it unrecognisable. This transformation has been deemed the dawn of a modern Guyana, according to the South American nation’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.
Billions in revenue are being accrued from Guyana’s budding oil and gas sector. The country is currently the fastest growing economy in the world and its government has embarked on several mega projects to ensure the country’s infrastructure keeps up with this development.
“While simple, make no mistake that you are witnessing history today,” Dr. Singh said as the contract for the new Demerara River Bridge was signed, last Wednesday. “The making of modern Guyana is well underway, and today’s generation of Guyanese are incredibly privileged not only to witness it but to be part of it.”
It is dubbed the largest infrastructure project ever to be financed by the government. The new Demerara River Bridge will replace one that has been in existence for over 40 years with a high span, cable structure that will alleviate the traffic woes faced on both sides of the river.
While that project gets underway, the government has already executed several others, that bring a modern feel to Guyana. Just recently, a new highway from Eccles to Mandela was commissioned and another is currently being built to connect Eccles to Diamond.
Guyana’s hotel landscape is also transforming. Big-name hotel brands are rushing to establish a foothold there bringing with them millions in investments and countless job opportunities for locals.
A US$90 million Hilton Hotel is expected to be constructed on Guyana’s east bank corridor, dubbed the oil and gas hub for the country. A US$100 million Radisson Blu Hotel will also be constructed in a few years’ time.
Guyana will also be getting another Marriott Hotel this time, minutes away from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the country’s main port of entry. And these are only a fraction of the hotels on the cards for construction over the next five years.
The airport itself is also going through a revamp with over US$190 million already invested to see more boarding bridges to accommodate larger aircrafts, additional office buildings and an extended space for more commercial activity.
Other major infrastructure projects for Guyana include the bridge to its Dutch-speaking neighbor Suriname and the Linden to Mabura Hill road, falling in line with the President’s commitment to ensure that development reaches every region.
The country’s transformation will only be exacerbated when the landmark gas-to-energy project comes on stream. Cheaper power will unlock a whole new chain of development in Guyana with endless possibilities for its people.
