219 acres of land assessed for major overhaul in Kaneville Model Village blueprint

Some 314 utility poles and 20 fire hydrants are set to be replaced and installed respectively in Kaneville as part of the Government’s Model Village Initiative, Minister within the Housing Ministry Vanessa Benn announced during a community consultation session on Tuesday. Benn said the Government is moving to transform Kaneville into a model village through a comprehensive development initiative aimed at improving infrastructure, safety and the overall appearance of the community. As such a Model Village Blueprint for Kaneville was presented to residents. Speaking during the engagement session, Benn said the initiative has been guided by assessments, previous community consultations and ongoing engagement with residents as the design of the project continues to take shape.

She outlined three main priorities for Kaneville’s transformation which are creating an environment that enables safe movement for residents and persons travelling through the village, improving drainage systems and enhancing the community’s aesthetic appeal through measures such as tree planting, street signage and other beautification efforts. An aerial view of Kaneville was presented during the engagement to give residents and stakeholders a clearer understanding of the area targeted for the transformation project. The shaded section highlighted during the presentation represents the specific area assessed by the project team over the past few weeks. Based on the assessment, the area covers approximately 219 acres and includes 18 roads extending east, west, north and south, with a combined road length of about 7,600 metres.

The assessment also identified more than 500 households, eight businesses and shops, one Government office and five places of worship within the area. About 800 metres of concrete drains currently exist within the community. The information provided a snapshot of the existing infrastructure and layout of Kaneville as part of the Government’s plans to transform the community into a model village. Guiding residents through visuals of the area, Benn explained that the assessment also examined the condition and placement of utility poles and lantern posts throughout the community.

She said that based on the assessment, Kaneville requires 314 lantern posts to be replaced. Benn also noted that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and other relevant agencies assessed the community based on population density and other factors to determine the required placement of fire hydrants.

“Based also on that assessment and how the Guyana Fire Service and the other provisions outline where, based on the population density and so on, where you need to have fire hydrants placed, they have identified that 20 fire hydrants need to be installed in these various locations across Kaneville,” she said.

Meanwhile, Benn urged Kaneville residents to ensure their fences and other structures are properly positioned as the Government moves ahead with the transformation project. She reminded residents that road reserves are public lands and play an important role in maintaining drainage systems, walkways road shoulders and overall road safety. “The reserve along the side of the road is not to park your big truck, not to break the shoulders, but remembering — or if you don’t know — the reserve belongs to Government. It is public land,” Benn said. She added that while residents may use certain areas around their properties, the reserves must remain intact to support infrastructure maintenance and public safety.

Meanwhile, President Dr Irfaan Ali who was at the meeting told residents that the Government’s vision for model villages goes beyond physical upgrades, with communities expected to become economically active spaces where residents can work, operate businesses and create opportunities without having to leave their hometowns. “We need to make our villages economically alive. This means creating space for agriculture, markets, shops, small businesses, workshops, artisans, services, light manufacturing, digital business, and other forms of entrepreneurship,” President Ali said. He added, “The objective is to create a village that is economically productive, while remaining a good place to live.”

The Model Village initiative is being spearheaded by the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry alongside the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Agriculture. Public consultations on the initiative will continue throughout the week across various communities.