The Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown yesterday launched their five-year vision for the transformation of the Stabroek area.
If realised, the ambitious Stabroek Redevelopment Project will see upgraded facilities for vendors, who would no longer be permitted to operate on the streets, and the creation of a public transportation hub, which would serve as the base of operations for the minibus and taxi operators who currently ply their trade from various spots.
Mayor Ubraj Narine stated that with government support, the project, which is envisaged as a public-private partnership, will take about five years to complete.
It would span the area from where the Guyana Fire Service headquarters is located to the Vendor’s Mall on Water and Robb streets.
Narine emphasised that the project is not just for infrastructure development but also the people’s development.
While no cost was mentioned, he stated that it was time to move to a different standard and was hopeful that oil revenues could be invested in infrastructure like the redevelopment project so that the people would benefit. He added that it was necessary to focus more on better standards and pointed to the safety benefits of a public transportation hub. He mentioned the several bus parks located at various spots, which has resulted in a mess that the city council is blamed for not cleaning.
Town Clerk Sherry Jerrick said the aim of the project is to organise street vending as the municipality cannot continue to have vendors operating as is currently being done. “It is unacceptable, totally unacceptable,” she said.
Jerrick said with organised vending, vendors will have “ownership,” which she said is more tangible and could be passed on.
In their current locations, she observed, should they move today or tomorrow, that will be the end of their operation, with no legacy to it.
If vending can be organised, Jerrick said, it will make the operations of the city a lot easier, and assist persons to become more economically stable.
Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore added that the project cannot happen overnight and noted the need for a “grand collaboration” given that some of properties found in the area do not only concern the Mayor and City Council.
A video presentation highlighted key plans, including the relocation of the Guyana Fire Service headquarters to a more central location and the upgrade of the Stabroek Market and other vendors’ facilities with modern conveniences.
