President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced plans for a major infrastructure upgrade on the Essequibo Coast, with the current two-lane main road set to be transformed into a modern four-lane highway. This ambitious project is slated to begin before the end of 2025, starting with the design phase.
The decision to expand the road comes in response to the rapid growth in traffic volume experienced in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in recent years. President Ali acknowledged that when the current road was initially constructed, such rapid development was not anticipated.
Key points of the announcement include:
- Design and rebuilding of the highway will commence before the end of 2025
- The project will cover the entire stretch from Supenaam to the Pomeroon River, approximately 59 kilometers
- This development is part of a larger $100 billion investment in Region Two over the past four years
In addition to the highway expansion, President Ali outlined several other initiatives to boost the region’s development:
- Plans to increase hotel capacity to address room shortages during peak periods
- A special marketing plan to encourage more investment in the region’s tourism sector
- Procurement of an additional fast ferry for the Parika to Supenaam route
- Construction of an $880 million multi-purpose wharf at Charity
- Development of a ‘coconut value chain’ to support diversification in agriculture
- Investments in drainage and irrigation infrastructure
- Expansion of technical education for farming
The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of the new Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Building in Suddie, Essequibo Coast. This infrastructure project is expected to significantly improve transportation, boost economic activities, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents of the Essequibo Coast.
