Public Works Minister – Without roads you cannot eat

Describing the $96.1B allocated to the Public Works Ministry to propel Guyana’s infrastructural
development, Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill described it as “Altruistic, realistic
and futuristic”.
He said that of that amount, $76.7B has been earmarked for roads and bridges. Edghill, sought to
paint a picture to the APNU+AFC opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who remarked that
citizens “cannot eat roads.” “You cannot eat roads, but without roads you cannot eat,” Edghill
declared.
The public works minister stressed that roads open up opportunities for housing, farming and
job creation. He pointed to the Linden to Lethem Road, Schoonard to Parika Highway,
Corentyne Main Road from Palmyra to Crabwood Creek and the No.58 Road, all of which will
benefit Guyanese. “The infrastructure programme of Guyana and the investments that we are
making in infrastructure is not just brick, loam, sand concrete and asphalt. It is opportunities to
lead for prosperity for the people of Guyana, and I am proud to be part of such a project,” he
said.
Edghill said that the budget provides for the economic advancement of Amerindians, while
pointing out that in 2021, hinterland villages received tractors to help the village’s economy. “In
Region Eight, we were able to give contracts to the communities to build the roads because you
cannot just have the tractors, but you must be able to link the communities,” he argued.
Edghill revealed that the infrastructural development supports the country’s growing tourism
industry. As such, he said tourism is one of the sectors that creates jobs on a large scale, noting
that it is important that necessary infrastructure is place to assist the industry. “We have to be
able to put in place the infrastructure to ensure the tourists who are coming here to rent a car to
drive and see the country, there is proper road safety and there are proper roads to encourage
that,” he said.
The Minister revealed that the APNU+AFC opposition is suffering what is called “mega
phobia,” the fear of big things. He said they are afraid of the development which the Government
is forging ahead with, noting that the President, Irfaan Ali led administration is not afraid of
undertaking mega-projects. “Every time something big is discussed they get scared. Amaila, the
one project that would have already been benefitting Guyana they scuttled it, too big for them to
understand. So now they hear gas to shore, too big for them to understand. You hear $88 billion
for infrastructure, too big for them to understand. You hear a budget of $552.9 billion, too big for
them to understand.
Guyana will not sleep in this summer moment; we will work with diligent hands to improve
infrastructure and ensure prosperity come to the people of Guyana,” he declared. The public
works minister said that Budget 2022 was read under the theme “Steadfast against all
challenges; resolute in building our one Guyana.”