A series of major infrastructure projects is planned for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) as the Government seeks to reduce traffic congestion and improve transport links to support the expanding industrial development. Speaking on the Starting Point Podcast on Sunday, Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar related that the projects form part of a wider strategy to transform the region into a major economic hub, with new roads, a deep-water port and industrial facilities. He said work is advancing on the new Schoonord to Tuschen road network, designed to ease traffic along the busy West Coast Demerara (WCD) corridor. The new road system will build on the success of the existing bypass linking the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge to Crane, which significantly reduced traffic passing through Vreed-en-Hoop. “Just like how we did the loop from the Harbour Bridge to Crane. It created a whole host of traffic diversion. It was a blessing because people no longer had to travel through Vreed-en-Hoop to get to Pouderoyen,” he said. While the bypass eased congestion in Vreed-en-Hoop, he said traffic has since shifted further west into surrounding communities. To address this, Indar said the Government has already awarded a contract for a new road linking Schoonord directly to Tuschen. The road will include three connecting routes into planned development areas, providing alternative access for motorists and supporting future housing and commercial expansion. Beyond road infrastructure, the Minister said a proposed deep-water port will anchor a wider industrial ecosystem in the region rather than operate as a standalone facility. The Minister further explained that the port will facilitate the movement of bulk cargo to and from Berbice, but additional supporting industries are needed to ensure the investment is commercially viable. “The deep-water port is part of this development because it will take bulk cargo to Berbice and move bulk out of Berbice, but it has to come with an ecosystem, too. It can’t operate in isolation,” he said. “For those things to work and pay back the investment, you have to have other developments. That is why a pipeline is going there.” He added that President Dr Irfaan Ali also envisions a glass manufacturing industry being established in the area, creating further industrial activity around the port.

Indar added that the projects are necessary as Guyana’s import volumes continue to grow and will contribute to the overall development of the region.