–Minister Benn calls for safeguarding of local recreational spaces
–says new EBD community facilities align with President Ali’s Model Village Initiative

GUYANA is creating greener, cleaner and more appealing spaces but this push to enhance communities will only last if citizens preserve and protect these public spaces, Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa Benn, has said.
During her feature address at the recent commissioning of two community facilities at Covent Garden and Herstelling Plot C, East Bank Demerara (EBD), Benn urged residents to safeguard their recreational spaces against vandalism, abuse and neglect.
Spaces such as these recently commissioned facilities serve as vital recreational sites for a wide cross section of Guyanese, Benn stated.
While highlighting the efforts to create sustainable spaces, Minister Benn stated that the value of these facilities extends beyond physical infrastructure, as safe spaces breathe wholesome communities, which in turn nurture healthy nations.
The minister said: “Let us ensure that this facility here in Covent Garden and the [one] in Herstelling doesn’t just stop at the front door… we [must] ensure that the entire facility is part of the community [and] will continue to be a space where our children can grow and play in comfort; where they can build friendships; where they can share experiences; where they can form and widen their vistas and have more understanding and appreciation of our beautiful mosaic of peoples.”
As Benn went on to explain that these facilities will enhance the beauty of the EBD corridor, she also noted that spaces such as those deliver a host of physical, mental and social benefits.
Also, Minister Benn linked the commissioning of these facilities to the Model Village Initiative, emphasising that the broader development agenda reflects a coordinated approach to building safer, more resilient communities.
“The more I make reference to these various projects and initiatives, it shows you the common thread in terms of our country’s development,” she said.
Benn stated that the initiative envisages communities with improved streets, better drainage, street lighting and CCTV cameras, alongside greenery, flowering trees and better-maintained public spaces.
The plans also include fire hydrants at strategic locations. Local, open recreational spaces form an important part of the environment in which families live, children grow and residents interact.
As Guyana continues to develop at an impressive rate, significant investments are being made in critical sectors including infrastructure, education, health and waste management.
One area that stands to benefit from this is the creation of a new standard for how villages across Guyana should look and function, particularly under the Government of Guyana’s Model Village Initiative.
On August 3, President Dr Irfaan Ali began a nationwide consultation process which targets improving the quality of life for residents in communities across the country.
President Ali had stated the initiative goes beyond roads, bridges and drainage, placing people, the environment, culture and community life at the centre of development planning.
During the Kaneville consultation, he said that a community is defined not just by its infrastructure alone but also by its people, values, character, culture, tradition and economy.
PART OF A BIGGER PICTURE
Minister Benn aligned the project with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, which she stated expands beyond its original focus on forest conservation to encompass new sectors and a more integrated approach to sustainable development.
It is on that note that the minister underscored how the building out of Guyana aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal 11, which targets creating sustainable cities and communities.
As she emphasised how growth and environmental sustainability goes hand-in-hand, Benn stated that the two multi-purpose facilities, which were commissioned last Wednesday, under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme, is a partnership between the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Minister Benn stated that the programme “should not be seen as in isolation.”
The handover of these facilities now completes a group of four facilities, delivered under this co-funded programme.
“…Our government remains focused on ensuring that our citizens have access to safe and comfortable housing, and communities where they and their children could develop, thrive and grow,” Minister Benn said.
According to the minister, this is not just simply the opening of buildings, but also the opening of doors to a better quality of life for all.
“[It] is how we ensure that we are helping improve the living conditions and helping to contribute towards healthier and stronger communities,” she said.
At the recreational facilities, fencing and energy-efficient LED lighting support their use, while washrooms, footpaths and walking areas cater to residents of different ages.
The minister urged residents to work with the Herstelling/Little Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Community-Based Management Committee to keep the facility clean, safe and well maintained. She also called for measures to prevent vandalism.
Additionally, there will be no compromise on public health as the minister drew a firm line, stating that the facilities will be no-smoking zones, raising concerns about the harmful effects of vaping on young people.
The minister has supported President Ali’s recent announcement that the government will restrict the importation of all vapes and vaping products into Guyana, citing growing concerns over their use among children and teenagers, particularly within schools.
In a live address to the nation, the President disclosed an order under the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01 will soon be signed, restricting the importation of these products unless approval is granted by the Minister of Health or the relevant tobacco control authorities.