Govt consults key stakeholders on Kingston Beautification Project

The Kingston area of Georgetown is set to undergo a major transformation following a consultation meeting with key stakeholders on plans to enhance the community through a comprehensive beautification and infrastructure improvement project.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat unveiled the plans during a meeting at the Roraima Duke Lodge on Monday with public and private-sector stakeholders, highlighting Kingston’s strategic importance as a hub for government agencies, businesses, diplomatic missions, hotels, and tourism activity.

“Kingston should be used as an example to show the new modern Guyana that we want to create,” Minister Bharrat said, underscoring the vision for Kingston to become a model for urban development and beautification across Georgetown.

The project will extend beyond the planting of trees and flowers, with plans to address drainage, roads, parking, garbage management, utility poles, street lighting, traffic flow and security, while creating a greener and more visually appealing environment.

Among the proposed interventions are the construction and improvement of secondary concrete drains, rehabilitation and grading of roads and parking areas, the replacement of defective utility poles and lights, and the introduction of more organised parking spaces incorporating strategically placed trees to provide shade.

“I am happy that we have the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Local Government as part of this area too. So that they can assist us with that. We have done a lot of studies, and we are doing some estimates now,” he noted.

The initiative will also examine traffic challenges around schools, including the development of suitable drop-off areas, while improved lighting and collaboration with the Guyana Police Force are expected to strengthen safety and security within the community.

The minister also stressed that community and private sector participation will be critical to the project’s success, noting that “sustainable maintenance, proper garbage disposal and enforcement will be necessary to preserve the improvements.”

The Kingston Beautification Project is expected to be launched in September. [DPI]