AS OUR 50th Independence anniversary draws nearer, the capital city of Georgetown is geared for a fresh start, with infrastructural and other improvements that both Guyanese and visitors will be proud of.Additionally, there has been a clear shift in attitudes over the past year, as Guyanese seem to be developing an increased sense of national pride. This change in attitude has led to the increase, to some extent, in their sense of personal responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings.

This is in keeping with President David Granger’s vision for a cleaner Georgetown. Just after being sworn-in as the Eighth Executive President of Guyana, last year, the Head of State, with the Georgetown City Council and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, launched a clean-up and rehabilitation drive in preparation for the rainy season.

This exercise was further propelled by private citizens and business owners across Georgetown, who participated in and funded several community-level clean-up exercises.

The President’s hope is that Georgetown will reach to such a standard that it will be considered the cleanest city in the Caribbean. At the unveiling ceremony of the Agricola Arch on May 20, 2016, President Granger urged all citizens to value the benefits of keeping their surroundings clean.

“Georgetown today is becoming a clean city, a serene and safe city once again. Sanitation and drainage to avert the danger of vector-borne diseases…are top priorities. Business places, public premises and municipal properties must all go green… every citizen must share the responsibility of keeping this city clean and sanitary,” President Granger said.

Today, following massive reconstruction works, even with heavy rainfall, reduced instances of flooding have been observed in areas which, one year ago, would have been quickly inundated with water. This welcome change comes in addition to a list of streets that have been recapped and other infrastructural developments.

Much of the kudos in this regard belongs to the Honourable Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, whose professional qualifications are deeply rooted in the field of engineering. His background has undoubtedly contributed to the efficient assessment of infrastructural priorities in and out of Georgetown, and the strategic execution of these projects.

The minister stated that there had been a disjointed approach to drainage and irrigation initiatives in the country, which prompted him to come up with a holistic plan to streamline various projects around the country. The Public Infrastructure Ministry’s list of immediate projects include works outside of Georgetown, such as road rehabilitation and the instalment of lights in areas such as Mocha and Diamond, and works on the roads and bridges along the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara.

Despite some improvements, Minister Patterson attests that his greatest achievement thus far lies in the Human Resources aspect of his Ministry. He admitted that by giving his staff their due respect, entrusting them with responsibilities, and creating an environment where they could make meaningful contributions to the work, the result has been an improved work process, and the ability for projects to run smoothly and effectively has been created.

“The second that the staff realised that not every decision has to be a political decision and they are free to make certain decisions…and they are held responsible but are given the free rein to continue, it has allowed them to be more productive,” he said. The minister also stated that another key feature of his Ministry’s success is the recently renamed ‘Force Account Unit’, a specialised group of engineers equipped with the skill set for the execution of emergency projects in the place of tendering external contracts. After renaming the group the ‘Special Project Unit’, a request made by the engineers themselves, the minister met with the group to assess its needs.

“We realised that this was a team of very good young men and women and they can do a lot…so we asked them what they needed (for them) to be more efficient (and) gave them a list of equipment that could aid their productivity,” he said.

Head of this Special Project Unit, Mr. Lawrence Mentis, stated that the Unit holds much pride in its work, and has proudly undertaken the immediate tasks set out on the Ministry’s agenda.

“The minister normally gives his vision, and we make that vision a reality… My excitement comes when the people are pleased…. It gives you energy to continue working,” Mr. Mentis said.

Priority areas of rehabilitation have included high-traffic areas, as well as those affecting youth and the elderly. Work was completed on areas such as Woolford Avenue, Brickdam, Thomas Lands, and the Seawall Road.

Following the Independence celebrations, the Unit will move quickly towards a very busy agenda which will be rolled out in all ten regions.

Durban Park
One of the notable projects which have been undertaken by the Special Projects Unit is the Durban Park. Responsibility for construction of the venue has only a short while ago been transferred to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, but the progress has been significantly accelerated. Even with the Durban Park moments away from completion, the venue has fallen subject to critique regarding its funding, and its necessity in addition to the already established National Stadium.

Minister Patterson said, however, that the construction of the Park will provide not only an improvement to the surroundings, but a means of recreation for citizens, among other benefits.

“What you are seeing there is just phase one. When it is finally completed, it will be an open space; open to the public. There will be several recreational facilities, an area to do exercising, and so on,” he said.

Regarding the criticisms raised about the venue, the minister stated that it is important to remember that the Golden Jubilee celebration is not just for the Government; it is also for the people. Moreover, utilising the space in such a manner also aids in beautifying the surroundings.

“You have to ask how do you value your environment, because it was a jungle and the jungle had to be cleared, and then it is a matter of what are you going to do with it,” he said.

After Independence, some of the stands will be moved to make room for those recreational facilities. The stands — which have been specially constructed — will further be transported to selected community centre grounds as a means of improving the facilities there as well.

Stabroek Market
As part of the move to make the city cleaner and safer for all Guyanese, several areas are being targeted for infrastructural and remedial works. One such area, which has been widely reported on recently, is the Stabroek Market Square. The Mayor and City Council’s move to relocate the vendors who ply their trade at that Square has also attracted criticisms, but authorities have endorsed the move as part of creating a cleaner, safer, more aesthetically pleasing Stabroek Market.

The vendors have been relocated to a temporary location opposite the Linden Bus Park, and have since been registered and provided with stall numbers. The Mayor and City Council announced, in April, its intention to temporarily relocate the vendors from in front of the Market as part of its move to clean up all public squares in the city.

The Stabroek area was given its name by the Dutch, and served as a marketplace even before the then Georgetown Town Council designated it an official Market in 1842. Construction of the iron-and-steel structure we see today was completed in 1881. The market area has, over the years, become crowded with the placement of stalls that overflow into streets, which contribute to traffic congestion.

Mayor of Georgetown, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green, explained that the move was a necessary one so as to reclaim the historic significance of the area.

“I think they (vendors) have become accustomed to where they were for so long. Vending is not illegal, but what we are trying to do is remove the obstruction from the city… We have to have pride, dignity and respect for ourselves in some of the things we do,” she said.

The mayor noted that she is aware the transition may be difficult for the vendors, but while some are still disappointed, many of the vendors are happy with the move. “I don’t think we will be able to satisfy everyone, but as long as majority is willing to work with us, we will succeed,” she said.

She explained that the Mayor and City Council is currently scoping out a permanent location for the vendors, which will allow them to be stationed comfortably.

Visitors to the market will notice that, similar to the Bank of Guyana, the historic Stabroek Market building has now been illuminated in honour of the Golden Jubilee, lighting the recently cleared market square.

Apart from the Stabroek Market, Mayor Chase-Green said, there are many more plans in store to clean up Georgetown, and those include restoring historical sites such as the Kitty Market, City Hall and other projects. “We want to bring Georgetown to its former glory and beyond. We’re talking about a modern city,” she said.

Mayor Chase-Green is aware that there is much work to be done, but is optimistic that, coupled with the Council’s hard work and a change in attitude towards keeping the environment clean, this will bode well for the city of Georgetown.

Minister Patterson has also pledged the support of his Ministry to assist the Council with rehabilitative works. “We recognise that the City Council (is) now getting its sea legs up, so we have continued to assist them… It’s a lot of work, but until the City Council gets up to full speed, we have to continue assisting them,” the minister said.