Residents of Guyana’s hinterland are set to benefit from major improvements in roads and bridges as the Government moves ahead with plans to better connect far-flung communities in Regions Eight and Nine, easing the high cost of living and opening up new economic opportunities.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the massive connectivity push will focus on linking villages that have long been isolated, making it cheaper and easier for people to move, trade and access essential services.
According to the Minister, key works will include the construction of the Karasabai airstrip, followed by the building of 29 bridges between Karasabai and Monkey Mountain. From there, the road network will be extended all the way to Paramakatoi, linking communities along the route.
At present, access into these regions is largely by air, while movement between villages often involves long treks or limited road travel. As a result, the cost of transporting goods is extremely high. Items that reach Lethem at a reasonable price can cost two, three or even four times more by the time they arrive in interior communities.
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Minister of Public Works, Juan EdghillMinister Edghill explained that improved road access will significantly reduce travel time and vehicle wear and tear, which in turn should bring down the cost of basic goods. This, he said, will have a direct and positive impact on household budgets and livelihoods.
Beyond reducing prices, the improved road network is expected to transform daily life in hinterland communities. Better roads will make it easier for residents to build homes, move farm produce and access markets. Health services are also expected to improve, as doctors, nurses and patients will be able to reach hospitals and health centres more quickly and safely.
The current roads in many of these areas can only accommodate ATVs and small pickups, limiting movement and restricting access for larger vehicles. The new works are intended to change that reality and bring hinterland communities closer to the rest of the country.
The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive development, saying no region will be left behind as Guyana continues its national infrastructure build-out.
In addition, the Ministry of Public Works is advancing a major project to link Region Nine to Brazil through a modern, all-weather road. The project will transform an existing 450-kilometre dirt track into a reliable roadway, boosting trade with Brazil’s Roraima state.
This project will complement other major infrastructure works supported by the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Development Bank, further strengthening connections between Guyana’s coast, its hinterland and Brazil, and unlocking long-term economic opportunities for communities along the route.
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