KINGSTON - Poorly conceptualised, unplanned and disorganized programmes will not be implemented by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. This was the indication coming for the Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson on August 20 when he lent his support to the 2015 Budget.
“The Ministry will utilize visionary and insightful planning, to achieve its plan to transform the public infrastructure, which is pivotal to Guyanese economic development” Patterson said.
According to the minister, energy policies would be developed to focus on alternative energy sources, discussions with Brazil on the development of Guyana's hydro-power capacity would be renewed and the development of sea and river defence capacities would be enhanced.
“Under the miscellaneous roads program, we will be going to areas in Region Two also Goed Intent, Saw Mill and Bush Shed Road Uitvlugt, Wrong Turn in Caneville…” Patterson told the House. He also said, “under the urban road (Programme), we will be doing the Sophia Ring Road; that will be ringing the entire Sophia. We will be constructing new roads, plus installing lights, speed bumps and eight new bridges. We will link Sophia to Guyhoc.”
Patterson added that, under the Hinterland Road Programme, all internal roads within Mahdia will be repaired as the first of a series of pilots, which will later move to Bartica and all the new areas proposed for township status.
“These roads will be completely paved. We will rebuild the Umana Yana, and for stellings, Bartica, Parika, Leguan, Stabroek and Vreed-en-Hoop…all these contracts are already out to tender.”
Renewable Energy
Minister Patterson outlined that his Ministry is currently examining proposed hydropower projects at Moca-Moca, Tumatumari, along with the Hope Canal wind farm and other areas.
Additionally, while the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is conducting a study on renewable energy which will be used as a guide, proposals are simultaneously being reviewed for the powering of Bartica using clean energy.
“This would be a model which we intend to roll out, as the resurfacing of all the internal roads in the new towns, …all the new towns powered by renewable energy,” Patterson said.
Noting the amount of time left to have all the plans executed before the end of the year, the Infrastructure Minister informed the House that his team met with bankers and insurance companies and briefed them on the requirements for performance bonds and financing, as well as bridging finances for contractors.
“We will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for sharing of information and this is particularly done to ensure that the contractors have a ready access to capital. The contractors will have access to the full amount. There will be no 15% deductions or things which have been happening in the past,” Patterson said.
