MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, has signalled that a nation-wide assessment of public markets is underway, with similar outreach visits to continue across Guyana as government moves to craft a coordinated rehabilitation plan for these critical community and economic spaces.
The minister on Friday engaged vendors and market officials during a walkthrough of the East La Penitence Market, following a recent visit to the East Ruimveldt Market, as part of ongoing consultations to evaluate conditions and identify priority interventions.
During the engagement, vendors outlined several pressing challenges affecting daily operations, including persistent flooding during rainfall, deteriorating roof structures in urgent need of repair, and the overall physical condition of the facility, which they said has contributed to a decline in customer turnout.
The lack of adequate parking was also raised as a major constraint, with shoppers often finding it difficult to access the market conveniently.
Minister Manickchand acknowledged that these issues not only undermine vendors’ ability to conduct business in a safe and comfortable environment, but also discourage customer traffic, ultimately affecting livelihoods and the vibrancy of the marketplace.
She stressed that public markets must be clean, secure and structurally sound to effectively serve their as key community and economic hubs.
The minister reaffirmed government’s intention to pursue targeted rehabilitation works to address drainage and flooding concerns, repair and upgrade roofing infrastructure, enhance sanitation, and explore solutions to improve accessibility and parking arrangements.
She highlighted that continued engagement with vendors will guide the design and implementation of these interventions to ensure they reflect the practical needs on the ground.
The ongoing consultations form part of a broader national effort to restore public markets as spaces of pride, where vendors can operate successfully, customers can shop comfortably, and communities can gather in safe and welcoming environments.
Works to enhance the capital city’s municipal infrastructure will continue this year, with government allocating $2 billion in Budget 2026 for rehabilitation of the Stabroek Market and Bourda Green, alongside upgrades to key avenues and other major locations across Georgetown.
The allocation forms part of a $2.84 billion sum under the Georgetown Restoration Initiative approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply last week. The package also includes $100 million for further improvements to the Transport and Harbours’ old carriageway on Lamaha Street, $200 million for avenue enhancements within the city, $150 million for rehabilitation of the Municipal Training Council central area, and $35 million for the design and installation of street name signs in Georgetown.
The broader budget for the ministry totals $36.6 billion, comprising $33 billion for local government development, $596 million for policy administration and $3.2 billion for regional development. Of this, approximately $18 billion is earmarked for rehabilitation works at markets across the country, including Port Kaituma, Bath, Railway Line Market, Unity, Rose Hall, Port Mourant, Number 79, Lethem and Plaisance.
Additionally, just over $404 million has been allocated for Guyana’s first cultural market, to be executed in three phases, while $2.8 billion was approved to support municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, with municipalities receiving $50 million and NDCs $30 million each in subsidies.
Further support includes $5.9 billion for the Solid Waste Disposal Programme, with about $400 million directed to the Haags Bosch site at Eccles and $150 million to the Lusignan landfill.
