Government moves ahead with $250M upgrade to Anna Regina airstrip
The Ministry of Public Works has announced plans to rehabilitate the Anna Regina airstrip in Region Two, including a brand-new passenger waiting facility, in a project valued at just over $250 million. The upgrade is part of the government’s broader push to improve hinterland and coastal infrastructure while boosting tourism and economic activity along the Essequibo coast.According to documents from the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the project has been split into two parts. Lot One, covering the airstrip’s runway rehabilitation, is pegged at $222,467,018, while Lot Two, focused on constructing the waiting facility, carries an estimate of $28,375,274. Together, the works total $250,842,292.The plan was first shared with residents in Charity back in March 2025, when Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill outlined the government’s intention to upgrade the Anna Regina facility. Reports from the Department of Public Information (DPI) at the time said the minister highlighted the inclusion of a passenger waiting area and other modern features to accommodate growing traffic to the nearby Lake Mainstay resort, a popular tourist destination.The upgrade is expected to support tourism and facilitate local economic activity. “Of course, once we do the airstrip, we also have to do the road because we can’t get to the airstrip if we don’t have a road,” Edghill said. The government is also planning a new airstrip at Charity, further strengthening connectivity along the Essequibo coast.With these improvements, the Anna Regina airstrip is set to become a key hub for both domestic and tourism travel, enhancing access to the region and supporting economic growth.
