“We’re not playing politics” – Ali asserts city streets takeover is about progress

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday underscored that the newly expanded $6 billion Aubrey Barker Road is part of a “deliberate national transformation plan,” as he defended the government’s decision to designate several city streets as public roads under central management, insisting that “we’re not playing politics.”

The Head of State was at the time delivering the feature address at the official opening of the newly upgraded four-lane Aubrey Barker Road. First commencing in November 2022, the project was executed by the government under the Public Works Ministry in several lots.

The president described the development as a strategic investment in Guyana’s future and a key component of a wider national transport master plan.

“This is not an isolated project. It is a strategic project…It is not a local upgrade. It is part of a national upgrade of the road transport system,” President Ali said, he added that
“It forms part of our broader road master plan. A plan designed to connect connectivity better integrate communities, improved travel time on new land stimulate commerce and modernise Guyana’s transport Infrastructure. Roads do more than carry vehicles. Roads carry workers, roads carry goods, roads carry opportunities.”

As he spoke passionately about the government’s plans to modernise Guyana’s roadways and improve the city, the President took the opportunity to address concerns about Central Government assuming control of several city streets as public roads, to bring their management under the central government.

Governance not politics

He emphasised that the move is about governance not politics.

“Let me set the record straight. We are not taking roads for politics. We are designating roads as public roads in the cause of progress. We have no political interest in dispossessing any entity. We are not playing politics for potholes. We’re not campaigning with congestions, grandstanding with gridlock. We are governing and governance requires responsibility. It requires decisions. It requires standing on firm ground, and I don’t have the time to shift on sinking sand,” the president declared.

He noted that move to designate more than 50 roads in Georgetown as public road is a move aimed at accelerating modernization and ensuring consistent maintenance.

“If Georgetown is to become the finest city in the Caribbean, then its infrastructure must match that ambition: a modern city cannot run unbroken roads. A growing economy cannot move on yesterday’s infrastructure,” the President said.

The president reinforced that infrastructure development is the backbone of Guyana’s rapid economic growth, declaring that roads are not merely symbols of development but drivers of it.

“Connectivity is the foundation on which economic growth is built. We are not building roads to show that development is taking place in Ghana. We are building roads because this is what drives development,” he said.

He argued that improved connectivity supports agriculture, industry, and commerce, while reducing travel time and increasing productivity.

Increased property values

Ali also pointed to the dramatic wealth creation being created through the increased property values along developing corridors, linking them directly to government investments.

He cited an example of land in the South Ruimveldt area which purchased for $5 million in 2021 and sold for $38 million in 2026, and another case where a property bought for $23 million in 2017 was sold for $112 million in 2026.

“These are real families, real individuals, real Guyanese who saw their net asset grow by more than 500% in just five years. Name any economy in the world where your asset is going up even by 10% every year,” he noted

The president also took the opportunity to signal his People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) government’s clear political intention regarding the governance of the capital city, expressing a desire to see the PPPC take control of 30 seat Georgetown’s City Council. His delcarations comes as Guyana prepares for Local Government Elections later this year.

“My intentions are clear and the intentions of the PPP Civic are clear as ever. We want a chance to run this city because the city deserves better than what it has today and it is time that we will rise up and give the PPPC that opportunity to lead the city and continue to lead the city in progress, prosperity, and to deliver good governance for the people of Georgetown. Do not second-guess,” the President said.

Project Manager for the road project Kester Hinds, gave an overview of the project. He noted that the Aubrey Barker Road project spans approximately 4.4 kilometres and includes a 1.6-kilometre extension from the Blaka Canal to Ogle Road.

Works included full reconstruction and widening to four lanes, installation of asphalt pavement, construction of concrete drains and culverts, bridges, road markings, bicycle lanes, and utility relocation. Hinds described the undertaking as a complex, multi-phase development aimed at improving access between Georgetown, the East Coast, and surrounding communities.

“This project represents a substantial investment in road infrastructure and forms part of wider efforts to modernize Guyana’s transport network,” Hinds said.

Meanwhile, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill highlighted the transformation of the roadway, urging critics to acknowledge the improvements.

“You posted the pictures when the holes were there, now post the new pictures,” he said, adding that development efforts will continue despite opposition.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Mandalall Ramraj underscored the human impact of the project, stating that it will reduce travel time, ease congestion, and improve daily life.

“This is development you can drive on, progress you can feel,” he said. “We are delivering relief, restoring time, improving safety, and strengthening families.”