Edghill: Bridges, highways and ferries transforming daily life

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill defended the government’s substantial investments in the country’s infrastructure sector on Monday, highlighting the benefits to citizens through improved state facilities and systems.
Speaking during the 2026 Budget debate, Edghill dismissed criticisms of the spending, saying infrastructure projects continue to enhance citizens’ access to services, ease of movement, and overall development.

“It is because they don’t take the time to link how infrastructural development will benefit the individual,” Edghill said. “Ask the people of Region Three, who travel to work in Georgetown, how the USD 260 million spent on the new Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge has transformed their lives. Ask the people of Diamond and further up how the Heroes Highway has made it easier to get to work, return home, and get their children to school on time. Ask those who use the Ogle to Eccles interlink, now extending to Providence with a direct link to the Bharrat Jagdeo River Bridge, how investment in infrastructure is making a difference in their lives.”
Edghill’s remarks came in response to opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Andre Lewis of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, who had expressed concerns over government spending in the 2026 Budget.

Edghill highlighted several projects benefiting citizens, including ferries and transportation facilities. “The 450,000 Guyanese who use our steamers—tell them that Budget 2026 has nothing for them? Tell the people of Region One, who are about to get a second roll-on ferry, that Budget 2026 has nothing for them? Tell the people of Region Two, who now have a brand-new ferry, that Budget 2026 has nothing for them? Tell the farmers and rice millers who move their paddy for free on Transport and Harbours facilities that Budget 2026 has nothing for them?” he said.
Lewis, in his budget speech, raised concerns about the government’s reliance on oil revenues to fund annual budgets without corresponding improvements in oversight, transparency, and capacity-building measures.
He criticized government management of oil funds and major spending projects, warning that the budget depends heavily on oil revenues at a time of uncertain global prices, with no clear plan for managing shortfalls. “A people-centred budget must protect the country, not only in good times but also when conditions become difficult,” Lewis said.
The opposition MP argued that rapid spending exceeds institutional capacity, weakening oversight and management and denying citizens full access to quality services. “Spending is occurring faster than our institutions can manage. Oversight systems, audits, procurement controls, and parliamentary scrutiny have not kept pace with expenditure,” he said.
Lewis also cautioned against growing fiscal deficits, noting a lack of clarity on how government spending will be stabilized or economic security sustained through oil revenues. While not opposing government spending in principle, he said the WIN party is against a budget that relies heavily on oil income without robust transparency, accountability, and fiscal safeguards.