SUDDIE residents got their first detailed look at a sweeping infrastructure package that includes over 4,000 metres of new drains, nearly 3,100 metres of walkways, 28 CCTV cameras, and 120 new trees, as the government’s Model Village Initiative moves into the consultation phase for the community.
The plans were unveiled at a public consultation at Suddie Primary School, led by President Irfaan Ali, with Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai, delivering a presentation outlining the scope of proposed works.
Suddie, a community of 143 households and 12 businesses spread across roughly 65 acres, currently has about 3,305 metres of roadway and 17 public and government offices, according to the community profile shared at the session.
Drainage improvements make up one of the largest pieces of the plan. The government intends to build approximately 4,156 metres of new drains alongside 2,605 metres of hard shoulders, five culverts, and 1,259 metres of revetment works to address erosion and flood risk.
About 3,054 metres of walkways are also planned to improve pedestrian safety and movement through the community.
Beyond drainage and roads, the package touches nearly every part of daily life in Suddie. Fifty-five utility poles are slated for replacement or relocation, and new community signage is planned to improve navigation.
Forty streetlights and 40 garbage receptacles are proposed to boost visibility and waste management, while 24 fire hydrants and 28 CCTV cameras are earmarked to strengthen fire response and security.
On the recreational side, the plan calls for 120 trees to be planted along with new playgrounds and green spaces.
Road rehabilitation for internal roads and access routes is also included, though officials say this work will roll out in phases rather than all at once.
A SIX-PHASE ROLLOUT
President Ali said the transformation will unfold in six stages. It begins with planning and assessment, baseline studies, community consultations, and needs assessments to set priorities, before moving into a second phase focused on basic services such as drainage, roads, water supply, and waste management.
A third phase will concentrate specifically on flood mitigation and drainage upgrades, followed by a fourth phase dedicated to community facilities, including parks and sports grounds. The fifth phase targets broader road network improvements, including paving and rehabilitation of internal roads. The plan closes with a sixth phase focused on long-term sustainability, covering capacity building and maintenance systems meant to keep the new infrastructure functional over time.
Officials also noted that a full assessment of Suddie’s existing road network and a review of the community’s land use and boundaries are part of the overall plan, which is expected to eventually spell out timelines, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms for the work.
For now, the consultation gave residents a chance to weigh in on the priorities shaping the initiative.
Resident Mary Jade welcomed the plans, saying, “We are excited for these transformations and we thank the President for same.”