Loan talks, other issues held back several major infrastructure projects

An artist’s impression of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge (Ministry of Public Infrastructure rendering)

Several major infrastructure projects under the Ministry of Public Works experienced setbacks due to delays in finalizing loans and other issues.

The Auditor General’s report on the Public Accounts for 2022 cited a number of cases including the New Demerara River Crossing.

The report tabled in Parliament recently said that the sum of $21.1b was provided last year for the New Demerara River Bridge and according to the appropriation accounts the full amount was expended as at December 31, 2022.

“However audit checks revealed that amounts totalling $8.327 billion were expended while the sum of $12.673 billion was transferred into an Escrow Account held at the Bank of Guyana.