His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali said that the new 4.6km four-lane highway connecting Great Diamond to Busbee Dam on the East Bank of Demerara is not just a road, but a stepping stone toward a fully connected, mobile, and modern Guyana.
Speaking at the official opening on Monday afternoon, the President emphasised that his Government remains committed to building bridges, highways, and roads that link every corner of the country.
“Busbee Dam to Great Diamond is not a destination. It is a stepping stone to Soesdyke, to Linden, to Lethem, to a Guyana that is fully connected, fully mobile, fully modern,” he said.
“We will continue to invest in bridges. We will continue to expand highways. We will continue to link hinterland to coastland, east to west, village to town, citizen to opportunity. Because unless we do, unless we expand our transport infrastructure, we will remain prisoners of inefficiency. And that is something we refuse to accept.”
The highway, constructed by the Ministry of Housing and Water, was divided into 12 lots and includes over 30 concrete bridges. It is made of asphalted concrete.
According to President Ali, this strategic approach allowed for faster completion, improved quality, and greater accountability through competitive performance.
He also reminded that the road will be extended to Soesdyke and highlighted the upcoming commissioning of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, which will further ease congestion along the East Bank corridor. “Imagine another critical choke point removed. Shorter travel times, less stress, more productivity—that is what progress feels like.”
President Ali underscored that roads are more than infrastructure. They are lifelines for development, connecting communities to education, employment, and opportunity.
“Roads do more than move cars. They move people. They move lives. They move hope. A road to a community is a road to education for children who need to get to school. A road to an industrial zone is a road to jobs for families who need income… A road to the airport is a road to opportunity for trade, tourism, and international connectivity. Roads are development in motion.”
“Our vision is of a Guyana where road transport does not choke our development, but rather accelerates it. A Guyana where highways are not just four lanes but four lanes of opportunity. A Guyana where bridges do not divide us, but unite us across rivers and regions. A Guyana where road infrastructure becomes the very backbone of efficiency, productivity, and prosperity.”
“Every minute a truck spends stuck in traffic is a minute lost in productivity. Every gallon of fuel wasted is money out of our pockets.”
The highway is expected to support industrial zones, commercial activity, and thousands of households, while also increasing the value of agricultural lands and improving access to financial services. The President described it as a catalyst for wealth creation and a clear signal that Guyana is ready to lead, invest, and push boundaries.
“We are not stopping here. Progress is our mantra. When Guyana is on the move, we press forward.”
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) the Honourable Mark Phillips; Minister of Housing and Water, the Honourable Collin Croal; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Honourable Susan Rodrigues; and other Government Ministers were also at the event.