Political situation in Guyana

The highway could be a “game changer” for Guyana

“The trail”, a red dirt road that stretches through Guyana’s interior, is the country’s artery. Now the government wants to invest in rebuilding the 500-kilometer-long road, which connects the capital Georgetown with the border with Brazil, into a real highway. This is reported by AFP.

But the project is optimistic. It would cost a billion dollars to build the highway’s four sections and 50 bridges, which could not be completed until 2030 at the earliest. In addition, the country goes to elections tomorrow, which could potentially put a damper on things.

Guyana, which has the world’s largest oil reserves per capita, hopes that the highway will turn the country’s economy around.

– The completed highway will be a game changer for where Guyana is headed, the country’s Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, told AFP.

Ramdial, 27, drives the route every day: “Very tough”

At the moment it is just gravel. But Guyana hopes to transform the important road, “The Trail”, into a real highway. It would not only be crucial for the country’s economy, but also for people like Ramdial Metleash, 27, who drives a truck on the route, reports AFP.

He has been doing this since he was 15 years old. He earns around $290 per trip, which takes 15 hours. Enough to be able to take care of his sister and nephew.

– It is a very tough job, Metleash tells AFP.