Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill yesterday launched enhancement projects valued at almost $1.5 billion in total for Independence Boulevard and Cemetery Road, Georgetown, which he said would to transform the surrounding communities from the “ghetto” to a “valued” part of the capital city.
Edghill announced that works would commence immediately and are expected to be completed before the end of the year.
“Albouystown, East, Middle Road must move from being shantytown into being part of the development of the Georgetown city as this country modernises… The Government of Guyana through its various initiatives and engagement, we are committed to bringing improvement in the lives and livelihood of people all across Georgetown,” Edghill yesterday afternoon during his address at the launch.
According to Edghill, the project is part of the government’s overall plan for the development of South Georgetown.
The Independence Boulevard is 1800 meters long and Edghill said the project was divided into three “lots” with each being assigned to separate contractors.
Works on the first lot from Saffon Street to Penitence Street will be done by Rim Construction Inc.; the second lot, from Penitence Street to Garnett Street, was assigned to IB Contracting and Machinery Rental; and the third lot, from Garnett Street to Cemetery Road, was allocated to C&L Construction Incorporated.
In providing a description, Edghill explained that the project would entail a double lane carriageway on the northern side of Independence Boulevard and a single lane carriageway on the southern side. “So you will end up having three lanes of traffic,” he said.
There will be a promenade between the two carriageways which will be 3 meters in width. On both sides of the roads, concrete drains will be constructed.
Poles and pipelines for utilities will also be relocated.
“Work begins now….This is a 2022 project and we want it in 2022. Day work, night work, early morning work, late night work but we moving through and we getting this done,” he said.
According to Edghill, the vision of the project is to transform the area from the “ghetto” and making it a valued part of Georgetown.
Throughout the development and enhancement, he said, residents from the area must be employed. “So while we are bringing development, we are also creating jobs,” he noted.
Additionally, Edghill said that the transformation should also encourage international companies to set up their offices and buildings in the community.
In order for the project to be successfully executed, Edghill said that persons who are occupying the government reserve on Independence Boulevard will be required to move since permission was not granted for them to build. “So whoever got structures on the reserve, I am giving public notice, because you already got notice that you got to start moving. When I stand up at Saffon Street I must see all the way through to Cemetery Road,” Edghill said.
“We are not here to displace anyone even though people will have to move. We are here to bring value to the neighborhood,” he added.
Apart from that, he said there are “plenty” of derelict vehicles, tyres, animal homes and shops on Independence Boulevard that needs to be removed. “….It got to be removed now…This place is being developed and enhanced to the benefit of everybody, so we got to pull ourselves in line,” Edghill urged.
He said failure to comply with the directive will result in the ministry’s intervention. “The project will not be stopped because of somebody’s lawlessness,” Edghill said.
