Posted on December 12, 2024
Guyana is seeing significant growth in trade and an increasing need for improved port facilities, especially a deepwater port. This requires collaboration with the private sector and careful planning.
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), highlighted some of the pros and cons of this issue while addressing an ongoing industrial dispute on the docks in Trinidad and Tobago.
He explained that while the government cannot directly intervene, they are open to working with local private companies to support the movement of goods out of Trinidad. He stated, “The [government] is open to ideas.”
For long-term solutions, Dr. Jagdeo mentioned the ongoing development of the Port of Vreed-en-Hoop. This facility will not only support the oil and gas sector but also improve the transport of goods.
Additionally, the new Demerara Bridge, currently under construction, will address weight restrictions and enable container transport across Regions Four, Five, and Six. He emphasized that while this will help significantly, a deepwater harbor is still essential.
However, building a large-scale facility is costly, especially due to the extensive dredging required. Private investors would need reliable revenue streams to cover these infrastructure expenses.
Dr. Jagdeo also mentioned plans for a causeway extending 6-7 kilometers into the Atlantic Ocean, which would align with the $300 megawatt Gas-to-Energy project being developed at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara.
He described this as a major initiative but stressed the importance of making decisions based on data and what benefits the country, rather than rushing into plans without proper analysis.
