Suriname to pave road to Guyana

Authorities in Suriname gave the go ahead on Friday for asphalting a road to the Canawaima Ferry terminal connecting Suriname and its neighbouring Guyana.

According to officials improvement of the road connection will contribute to the economic development and opening up of the western part of Suriname.

This project will not only increase the movement of people and goods between the two countries but also increase tourism, trade and opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Other economic activities such as agriculture will also benefit from the road improvement since there are numerous rice and cattle farms alongside the 32 kilometers stretch of road in Suriname’s western district Nickerie.

Business and travel were being interrupted regularly due to bad conditions of the road during the rainy season.

According to Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, Rick van Ravenswaay, the improvement of the Southdrain road fits within the IIRSA-initiative of the governments of South America to interlink the infrastructure of the continent.

The 13.2-million-euro project is being financed by the European Commission from the 9th European Development Fund.

Minister Van Ravenswaay further noted that the road improvement will ultimately result in advancing the unlocking of Nickerie and foster future development and increase accessibility of export markets.

EU representative Richard van der Horst stated that, with adequate management, the road will be in good condition for about 20 years. The EU official noted that the project is part of a larger package, including improvement of the Nieuwe Haven, Suriname’s main port and the port in Nickerie.

He further disclosed that the authorities and the EU are currently studying the possible reconditioning the road between the capital Paramaribo and Albina on the border with French Guiana.

The starting of the works was also welcomed by the local community, bus and taxi drivers. “This is a dream come true. For years we were waiting for this moment,” said a bus owner, who also said that he had to replace five buses and three cars, due to the bad road.

Minister of Public Works, Ganeshkoemar Kandhai disclosed that the project is not merely improvement of the infrastructure but also part of the further integration with Guyana and the Caribbean.

Minister Van Ravenswaay said that with the implementation of the Southdrain project traveling from Brazil, Guyana, and Suriname through French Guiana will be easier.

The Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA) is a bold effort to construct a new infrastructure network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports, and energy and communications interconnections.

Project proponents say that regional development can best be achieved by overcoming South America’s geographic barriers – the Amazon rainforest, Pantanal wetlands, Andes Mountains, and Chaco savannas.

Many of the projects seek to provide road and river outlets to ocean ports, with the goal of providing incentives to increase exports of primary materials – soybeans and other grains, timber, and minerals.

The South American governments are currently proceeding with the implementation of 31 "priority" projects, with a total cost of US$4.3 billion. In all, 335 projects have been identified as part of IIRSA, with an overall budget of US$37.4 billion.

The initiative has received technical and financial support from the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Fonplata, UNDP, and others.