THE long-overdue clearing and levelling of parapets across Georgetown, announced this week by President Dr Irfaan Ali, marks not just the start of a drainage project, but a statement of intent.
It signals the government’s determination to reclaim the city’s dignity, efficiency, and identity as the “Garden City” of the Caribbean.
For too long, Georgetown’s physical landscape has mirrored neglect, overgrown parapets, clogged drains, collapsing bridges, and uneven pavements standing as reminders of deferred maintenance and divided governance.
The announcement of the Georgetown Drainage Development Plan, therefore, should be welcomed as a decisive step toward addressing one of the capital’s most persistent problems: its inadequate and outdated infrastructure.
This new, multi-agency initiative brings together the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the Georgetown City Council.
Such collaboration, if sustained, could break the cycle of inefficiency and turf battles that have historically paralysed urban improvement efforts. For once, the nation sees a unified front focused on a single goal—making the capital cleaner, safer, and more livable.
The planned clearing and levelling of parapets, the first phase of this project, is both practical and symbolic.
It will remove the unsightly encumbrances and restore order to roadways, while also signalling a broader shift toward urban discipline and civic pride.
But it will only succeed with the full co-operation of residents and businesses. Every citizen must understand that the state of Georgetown is a reflection of all who live and work within it.
Beyond immediate clean-up work, the government’s vision for urban renewal appears refreshingly comprehensive.
From the modernisation of the city’s antiquated sewerage system to the development of recreational spaces and rehabilitation of heritage landmarks like the Transport building and Stabroek waterfront, the plan recognises that Georgetown’s revival is about more than drains, it’s about identity.
It is about restoring a city that balances its colonial charm with the demands of a modern, climate-resilient economy.
The administration’s commitment to sustainable growth under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) ensures that this transformation will not come at the expense of the environment. Integrating biodiversity, expanding green infrastructure, and promoting climate resilience are not mere buzzwords—they are necessities for a coastal capital that lies below sea level.
However, an ambitious plan is only as strong as its execution. The challenge now lies in consistent follow-through, transparent governance, and meaningful consultation with communities.
The inclusion of the private sector and local authorities must not be tokenistic; real collaboration and accountability must underpin every phase of this transformation.
If done right, Georgetown’s renewal could become a national model, a living example of what happens when leadership, vision, and civic responsibility align.
The city that once inspired visitors with its tree-lined avenues and elegant waterways can rise again, not as a relic of the past, but as a testament to a future rooted in sustainability, order, and shared pride.
The time has come to rescue Georgetown not only from neglect, but from apathy. The first step has been taken, now the momentum must not be lost.