President Dr Irfaan Ali has lamented the high transportation costs in Region One, as major government investments in the aviation sector have failed to bring down prices for hinterland and riverine residents.
Addressing a public meeting at Santa Rosa Secondary School during a Cabinet outreach on Tuesday, Ali said transportation remained one of the biggest contributors to the high cost of food and essential goods, with the aviation sector coming in for particular criticism.
“Transportation has a direct impact on cost of living. When we examine the cost you’re paying for chicken, beef and other important food items, it is clear that you are paying far above the market price,” he said.
Ali said discussions with village leaders, residents and shop owners had all pointed to one underlying cause. “Their primary reason is the cost of transportation,” he said.
He said the government expected better results from its investments in hinterland connectivity. “We are very disappointed in the aviation sector because we have not been able to get the corresponding returns on the investment that we are making,” he said.
Ali said feedback from the outreach would be used to craft a transportation plan focused on lowering freight costs while improving access to goods in Region One. Among the proposals is a dedicated cargo launch service between Charity and the Moruca sub-district, financed through the Guyana Development Bank and operated by a consortium of young entrepreneurs.
“We can put together a consortium of young people who can develop this as a business, but a different type of business, a business with a social conscience and a business with social responsibility,” he said.
Ali said the goal was to ensure goods reached communities at fair transportation rates while creating sustainable economic opportunities for young people. “We can have an arrangement to allow goods to come into the community at a fair transportation cost, one that is beneficial to the community and still beneficial to the business owner,” he said.
The President said reducing transportation costs alone would not solve the issue, announcing government support for poultry production and other agricultural initiatives aimed at increasing local food production and reducing reliance on imported goods. “We have to address the issue of transportation. We have to address the issue of food production. We have to address the issue of infrastructure,” he said.
He also outlined a range of additional initiatives for the sub-region, including a social housing programme for vulnerable residents, a Government Service Centre offering multiple public services, upgraded roads and waterways, expanded electricity generation through two new generators, improved landing facilities, repairs to solar systems, a multi-purpose community complex, a children’s play park and continued work on the road to Kobani Landing.
The announcements formed part of the Government’s Cabinet outreach to Region One, where ministers are meeting residents across the region to gather feedback and identify priorities for future development projects.
