HOUSING and Water Minister, Collin Croal, on Wednesday, announced that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be overseeing the restoration and rehabilitation of Parliament Square located at the corner of High Street and Brickdam, Georgetown.
The minister, during a tour of the area which once housed a beautiful garden and recreational park, told reporters that following a request made by his ministry, the square is now under the management of the CH&PA and works will soon commence to restore it to its former glory.

Minister Croal disclosed that the initial project was spearheaded by now President, Dr, Irfaan Ali during his tenure as the Minister of Housing and Water in 2012; however, in 2015 when the Government changed, the Mayor and City Council was given the sole responsibility to maintain and oversee the affairs of the area.
The minister, in expressing his disappointment, given the current condition of the square, said that poor management by the City Council led to the area now being a known spot for vagrants and persons to dump their garbage in and around the premises.

“You have a fountain here that has not been maintained, you have all the lights that have been damaged; it’s now overrun by vagrants; you have around this facility the dumping of garbage and this certainly is not what was intended for this park.”
He added that with new management under his ministry, “persons can host activities here, small activities of course keeping in mind the COVID situation. We want persons to come here, take pictures and enjoy that nice, whole and comfortable atmosphere.”
The minister further stated that security measures will also be put in place to ensure that vagrants are unable to gain access to the premises as well as to provide members of the public with a sense of comfort and security.

Additionally, a management committee will be established to oversee authorised events at the square. “We have set up a management committee for persons who want to utilise this facility when we are finished with our rehabilitation works. They will have to write to Central Housing for usage,” Croal said.
In expressing his disappointment in what the park has become, CEO Greaves stated that a management committee set up by CH&PA will supervise the rehabilitation of the square.

“We are extremely disappointed to see what has become of this facility; those of you who would have been here in 2014 and 2015 would have seen how beautiful this place was and people would enjoy coming here in the evenings,” Greaves said, adding: “It is sad to see what it has become and now we intend to bring it back to its glory.”
Greaves added that works will commence shortly and the Parliament Square will be restored to the beautiful garden and urban park it once was. “You will see over the coming weeks and months, work being done here to bring it back to its former glory and even better.”
“We will get the fountains working, get the fence working, put in new seats [and] new lights,” the CEO added.