PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar formally declared Parliament Square open on Wednesday evening with a simple ceremony attended by government officials, diplomats and invited guests.

The President said the site can serve as one aspect of what he termed ‘Educational Tourism’ due to its setting in the heart of historical occurrences in Georgetown, particularly as it is located at the head of the oldest street in the capital, Brickdam.
Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, in brief remarks, expressed the wish that the recreational facility’s ambience would transcend the halls of nearby Parliament and by extension the hall of the political thinking of the country.
He said the project stemmed from several proposals put forward during the first annual Building Expo and will be part of the Brickdam Renewal Plan. This will cater for planting trees,  paving  and making it a very secure street, scenic and with an air of freshness and beauty.
Calls were made for a new culture to take root which will see a change in attitudes of youths toward keeping the environment clean and by extension Georgetown.
Phase Two of the Brickdam Renewal plan will see the construction of a ‘tourist operator booth’ nearby which will offer guided tours to visitors.
Giving an overview of the multi-million-dollar project, Mr. Rawle Edinboro of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) said the park’s location was chosen for its historical setting and constructed on the site of the dismantled Statistical Bureau building. He said it is an attempt to counter-balance the loss of green space within Georgetown, complement surrounding historical structures and add vitality to a unique recreational tourism place of value.
The map of Guyana is outlined in the centre and covered with grass. It is fenced and manned by security personnel, is raised to prevent flooding, wheel chair accessible, has seating accommodation, lighting and a fountain.
The square will be used for family recreation, poetry nights, and steel pan competition among other activities.