boosting connectivity and economic growth
The newly upgraded Anna Regina Airstrip
Hundreds of residents from Region Two gathered on Friday to witness the historic commissioning of the newly upgraded Anna Regina Airstrip located in the Mainstay/Whyaka Amerindian village.
Upgraded for $221 million, the runway spans 2,000 ft in length by 50 ft in width. It will serve as an integral point of connectivity and accessibility for the region, supporting economic growth across multiple sectors.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, accompanied by Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Mandanlall Ramraj; other cabinet ministers and residents of Mainstay/Whyaka officially commissioned the airstrip on Friday as part of a two-day outreach to the region.
In his remarks, President Ali said the airstrip’s completion reflects the government’s “One Guyana” philosophy, describing infrastructure development as central to national inclusion.
“Building an airstrip is about connection. It is about inclusion. It is about One Guyana in action. One Guyana underpins what we do economically, politically, and socially. It stands at the very core of our philosophy of governance,” the president stated.
He said airstrips are not luxuries in a country like Guyana but lifelines, capable of cutting travel time “not by minutes, but by days.”
As an example, he pointed to the Karasabai airstrip in Region Nine, which allowed Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips to reach flood-affected residents during a natural disaster.
This previously took up to six weeks by road.
“When access improves, inequality shrinks. When communities are connected by air, by sea, by road, by bridge, or by broadband, nations are strengthened. And this is why infrastructure, in all its form, plays a pivotal role in integrating our country. It plays a central role in equalising opportunities,” President Ali underscored.
President Ali also credited the airstrip project to the government’s broader infrastructure agenda for Region Two, stating that investment in the region over the past five years has outpaced the combined total of previous administrations.
He thanked the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Ministry of Public Works for completing the project.
On behalf of the Mainstay/Whyaka Village Council and residents, Toshao Marsha Williams welcomed the investment, thanking President Ali for his unwavering support towards the village’s development.
“Your investment in this important infrastructure demonstrates your vision for creating opportunities, improving connectivity and enhancing the quality of life of communities across our country,” she said.
Ministers Indar, Ramraj, and Regional Chairman Devin Mohan also delivered remarks.