AFTER years of decay and public outcry, the historic Le Repentir Cemetery in Georgetown is now undergoing long-overdue rehabilitation works as part of the Government’s broader capital city enhancement agenda.

The cemetery—Guyana’s largest and most significant burial site—has long suffered from neglect under the administration of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, which falls under the opposition-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and People’s National Congress (PNC).
Tombs crumbling into canals, overgrown vegetation, and broken infrastructure have become common features of a burial ground that once stood as a symbol of dignity and inclusion for citizens of all races, religions, and economic backgrounds.

Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo first announced the rehabilitation plans in February 2024, signalling Government’s intention to restore the cemetery under a wider push to modernise infrastructure across Georgetown.

A motion calling for the cemetery’s rehabilitation was later presented in the National Assembly by opposition MP Volda Lawrence.
While the motion was passed, it was notably amended by the Government, which made clear that central plans for the upgrades were already in motion.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, reinforced the Government’s commitment, declaring the restoration of Le Repentir as not up for debate but already on the agenda.

The cemetery comes under the purview of PNC/APNU controlled Georgetown Mayor and City Council and has suffered significantly from years of neglect.
According to the Motion for the Rehabilitation of the Le Repentir Cemetery, the cemetery was established in 1861 as the final place of rest for residents of Georgetown, across all races, religious background or financial standing.

Over the years, what was once minimal expanded from 103.508 acres to some 106.508 acres of land.
In the same amount of time, citizens witnessed firsthand the degradation of the land, resulting in tombs falling into canals, tombs cracking, and in some cases broken. The site is filled with the greenery similar to what could be found in a jungle.

The motion, therefore, called on the Government to upgrade the historic facility, and implement a plan for its maintenance, including drainage infrastructure.
With work now underway, the Le Repentir rehabilitation is being folded into a sweeping slate of national infrastructure projects.
This includes the construction of the highly anticipated US$260 million Demerara Harbour Bridge, targeted for completion in August 2025; the establishment of massive housing schemes in areas as Yarrowkabra, La Bonne Intention (LBI), and most recently Vryheid’s Lust South on the East Coast Demerara, where over 100 families benefitted from legal transport for the land where their home is located, through a collaboration between the Ministry of Housing and Water and the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Meanwhile, in the health sector, the construction of the new state-of-the-art Enmore Regional Hospital is expected to be completed soon and will bring significant boost to the healthcare services on the East Coast Demerara, offering residents improved access to high-quality medical care within their own community.
It is one of 12 such facilities being constructed by this administration.