ACCOMPANIED by Ministers Collin Croal and Vanessa Benn of the Ministry of Housing, along with technical staff from the Ministries of Public Works and Housing, First Lady Mrs Arya Ali recently conducted site visits across key locations in Georgetown to assess the progress of ongoing beautification works.
This included the avenues along East and Waterloo Streets, and the Kingston Seawall Esplanade.
These works, according to the Office of the First Lady, along with the development of several public recreational parks, are being done under the National Beautification Project and is in alignment with the Georgetown Urban Development Framework Plan being implemented by the Government of Guyana, with support from the Kings Foundation.
Safe, inclusive, and accessible, public spaces are fundamental to human health, well-being, and development, and we want to ensure that access to quality public spaces remain a key component of our urban and regional development plans, the First Lady’s Office said.
Last year, the First Lady’s Office made strides in revitalising a number of public spaces through the National Beautification Project. This flagship initiative is led by the First Lady and is aimed at enhancing the quality of life for families and communities across Guyana.
Since 2020, they have developed a number of recreational spaces under the project, with more underway or planned. These include facilities at Okum Beach, Leguan (Region Three), Bath Settlement and Bush Lot (Region Five), Number 63 Beach (Region Six), Kato (Region Eight), and Wismar and Spikeland in Linden (Region 10).
Some notable projects delivered under Mrs Ali’s leadership include the Independence Park in Anna Regina; the Children’s Play Park at the National Park; the Kingston Seawall Esplanade; Zia’s Play Park at Leonora; the Unity Beach Play Park and the May 26 Nursery Complex at Melanie Damishana on the East Coast of Demerara.
This year, an allocation of $35 million was provided in the national budget to continue the National Beautification Project and community support through her Office. This covers the construction and upgrading of children’s parks, and public parks, as well as the installation of play sets and bins, and the general improvement of public recreational spaces.
The project is set to extend financial assistance to vulnerable Guyanese through the provision of backpacks, school supplies and children’s toys and hampers.
