‘Berbice will need airport to complement second gas project, deep-water port’ – Pres. Ali
Feb 11, 2025
Kaieteur News-President Irfaan Ali said that Berbice will need an airport to support the government’s plan to have a deep-water port and a second phase of the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project that will be located in Region Six.
President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali
Last month, the head-of-state disclosed his administration’s intention to have the second gas project in Berbice as well as the deep-water port. However, these plans he had noted will be executed in the People’s Progressive Party next term – if reelected. President Ali made the comments during a recent interview on the Energy Perspectives Podcast. During the podcast, President Ali said that his administration has already begun addressing critical infrastructure linked to economic expansion, wealth creation, and improvements in the transport system. However, he acknowledged the existing gaps.
He highlighted the need for significant infrastructure development in Berbice and point to the necessity of a deep-water port and a municipal airport to support the region economic activities. He said that the Corentyne River Bridge, linking Guyana to Suriname will bring increased activities in Berbice.
President Ali stated, “It is my estimation that somewhere in Berbice we will need to have a municipal airport like Ogle.” He further explained that the airport would complement the second gas project in Region Six, which is expected to bring substantial industrial expansion and investment.
“We will have massive at scale investments. You’ll have power plants so that will create a whole ecosystem by itself. That is why the Municipal Airport, you’ll have private investment in real estate and everything there in Berbice and that, of course, lends its way now to a massive investment in a deeper port,” Ali said.
In relation to the deep-water port he said, “That deep water port you know, that’s will carry, I think, a decent price tag, and we are already looking at that. That is part of the plan.” In a December 2024 interview, President Ali had disclosed that by mid-January 2025 the government would have solid proposals for the execution of the deep-water port. He had said, “We will have a consortium working with the Guyana Shippers Association to come up with a plan as to how we can keep the draft at seven meters, at least, at the bottom of the tide, so you can have 24-hour use of the channel.”
Moreover, beyond Berbice, the President also pointed to the need for expanded road networks in Region Five and modernization of the agricultural sector, given its strategic link between Regions Four and Six.
(‘Berbice will need airport to complement second gas project, deep-water port’ – Pres. Ali)
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