Guyana, India ready to sign US$50 million road construction deal

Last Updated on Tuesday, 15 March 2016, 13:00 by Denis Chabrol

President David Granger and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi meeting in New York in September, 2015.

Guyana and India are set to sign a US$50 million agreement to expand the road network in East Demerara,

The Finance Minister, Winston Jordan is Wednesday expected to sign an agreement with EximBank of India for the construction of a road to link the East Coast and East Bank Demerara, according to the Finance Ministry.

The project was first conceived under the then People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration. Back in January, 2015 when then President Donald Ramotar had visited India, that country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had announced the US$50 million line of credit for the construction of the road.

Finance Minister Jordan told the National Assembly in his 2016 National Budget presentation that the road would run from Ogle, East Coast Demerara to Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Authorities envisage that the proposed new road will intersect several communities, including Sophia, South and North Ruimveldt, Eccles and Providence.

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and then President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar.

Jordan such a road is also aimed at  “creating an alternative access route to these densely populated areas, expanding business opportunities and opening new lands for housing development.

The APNU+AFC coalition-led government expects intends to extend that East Bank-East Coast road link, to connect the Ogle International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.