News Source Guyana Reports : One day after Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill praised the completion of the Ogle to Eccles Highway at a significantly lower cost than proposed by the previous APNU+AFC Administration, former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has challenged this assertion, claiming the project was completed at a higher cost for less road.
During the commissioning ceremony on Monday, Edghill stated that the initial contract sum for the project rose to US$133.8 million to accommodate necessary features such as bridges, drainage systems, and elevated sections to prevent flooding. He emphasized that this cost remained well below the APNU+AFC’s proposed cost of US$275 million.
“When we came to government, we met a project that was US$275 million by the APNU Government to do exactly what we did here. US$275 million!” Edghill told attendees.
However, in a statement released on Tuesday, Patterson, who is also the Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC), criticized the notion that the US$133.8 million Ogle to Eccles Highway represents the same project envisioned by the previous administration. He accused the current government of misleading the public.
Patterson pointed out that the original design for the highway was completed in November 2019 and included 25.43 kilometers of roads, featuring a four-lane main alignment of 15.34 kilometers with a design speed of 120 km/h, along with four connector roads totaling 10.09 kilometers. The original plan also included seven major intersections, four major bridges, 15 minor bridges, and numerous other infrastructure elements.
“The total cost was US$208.1 million, which included a 10% contingency allowance and 7.5% consultancy fees, covering a completed project that even set aside reserves for a light railway at US$8.18 million per kilometer,” Patterson explained. “In contrast, the PPP has constructed a 7.8-kilometer road for US$133.8 million, averaging US$17.8 million per kilometer, and is now touting this as an example of fiscal discipline and value for money.”
He criticized the PPP/C Administration for reducing the project design by 30% while doubling the overall cost. Patterson also highlighted concerns about other government projects, citing the Heroes Highway, which reportedly cost G$15 billion (US$75 million) but now requires further repairs, and the Wales Gas to Shore Project, whose costs have ballooned from an original estimate of under US$700 million to over US$2.4 billion.
Patterson urged citizens to be cautious of disinformation, asserting that the government has failed to provide value for money in many of its initiatives.
Other News
Attorney General Defends U.S. Congress Members’ Criticism
