As part of the Government of Guyana’s ambitious commitment to create 50,000 new jobs, Region Six (East Berbice–Corentyne) has become a standout success. Since 2020, the region has generated over 20,000 infrastructure-related jobs, according to data released by the Ministry of Public Works and the Regional Democratic Council of Region 6. This achievement reflects not just job creation but the development of lasting livelihoods and meaningful economic inclusion.
Fueling this surge in employment is a large-scale rollout of infrastructure projects under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). In 2024 alone, 612 government contracts were awarded in Region Six, targeting road upgrades, drainage and irrigation systems, sea defence works, and bridge reconstruction projects. Each contract has contributed to the employment of skilled and unskilled workers throughout the region (Department of Public Information (DPI), 2024).
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has repeatedly emphasized the government’s intent to build more than just job numbers. “We are committed to lifting people out of poverty by building the infrastructure that supports long-term economic activity,” he stated during an April 2024 press briefing. “These projects are creating jobs today while laying the foundation for tomorrow’s growth” (Guyana Chronicle, April 2024).
Key subregions—such as New Amsterdam, Canje, and Upper Corentyne—have become centers of job activity, with projects expanding both economic and social infrastructure. Rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads and coastal drainage systems are improving agricultural access and flood resilience, offering not just employment but critical services to residents.
A notable aspect of Region Six’s strategy is its support for local contractors and SMEs, many of whom have benefited from the decentralized contract model. According to the RDC Region 6, this approach keeps revenue circulating within the region and creates secondary employment in construction supply chains, transport, and food services (Stabroek News, May 2024).
As Guyana advances toward its national job creation target, Region Six’s model exemplifies what real, people-centered development looks like. Beyond statistics, the transformation is visible in paved roads, working families, and revitalized communities.
“This is what real progress looks like,” Minister Edghill concluded. “We are not just creating jobs—we are building lives.”
