City enhancement project ongoing
Guyana Chronicle
December 20, 2006
UPGRADING the main avenues in Georgetown, the seawall and repairs to other facilities are some of the improvement works under way as part of the government programme to enhance and beautify the city and its environs, the Government Information Agency (GINA) explained yesterday.
The agency said the works are being spearheaded by an enhancement committee, set up by President Bharrat Jagdeo, comprising representatives of both public and private sectors and the focus is on solid waste collection and disposal, repairs to roads and drains and other improvements.
GINA said officials from the ministries of Public Works and Communications and Local Government, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) are on the committee.
According to GINA, the National Zoological Park on Vlissengen Road is undergoing repairs and, last month, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Kellawan Lall inspected facilities at the zoo and identified several areas for the purpose.
GINA said the main access road, fence, accommodation for animals, desilting the manatee ponds and aquariums, landscaping and general improvement of the environment were some of the things earmarked for immediate action.
Manager of the Zoological Park, Mr. Peter Katoo said a number have already been done, including at the aquariums and access road, while others are ongoing.
GINA said about $2M is being spent on the projects and a proposal is to be submitted to the committee for further undertakings at the zoo, which are estimated to cost some $17M.
GINA said the zoo has always been a location of interest for local and overseas visitors and is expected to attract more of them during Cricket World Cup (CWC) in March/April 2007.
Work is also continuing on raising the avenues in Main, Carmichael, Waterloo, Thomas and East streets above flood level with better drainage to be provided by the Public Works Ministry.
Landscaping has also been done along the seawall from High Street to Kitty pump station and improving the markets, car and bus parks are other aspects of the drive, GINA stated.