An agreement signed yesterday between the Governments of Guyana and China will see the transforming of Joe Vieira Park on the West Demerara.
A signing ceremony took place at the Office of the President for the project which will see the Region Three park being transformed into a modern recreational space estimated to cost between US$10 million and US$12 million.
During the ceremony, acting Commissioner of the Protected Areas Com-mission and National Parks Commission, Jason Fraser stated that the Joe Vieira Park has always provided a space for recreation especially during holidays. According to footage of the ceremony provided by the Department of Public Information, he said that the project will greatly enhance the space.
“This project will enhance the space and provide the equivalent of what the National Park is to the people of Georgetown for the most part, to the people of West Demerara and beyond,” he said, while adding that the design ensures that the green spaces are retained while also providing areas for specific sports inclusive of football, basketball and table tennis.
Fraser revealed that the project also caters for an amphitheatre, children’s activity area and picnic spaces with facilities that would be expected of a modern park. The commissioner added, “A central feature from the park’s design is the Guyana Friendship Monument that commemorates as the name suggests, the long, ongoing friendship between Guyana and China.”
Ambassador of China to Guyana, Guo Haiyan noted that the signing of the agreement for the project comes as the two countries approach the 50-year mark of diplomatic relations. She stated, “After the establishment of our diplomatic relations in 1972, substantial progress has been made in our cooperation in various fields and our friendship has been continuously consolidated.”
The Ambassador reveal-ed that in order to celebrate the longstanding friendship that the two countries have had over the years, the governments agreed to build a friendship-themed park. While she noted that there are many green spaces and tourist attractions in Guyana, they are in remote areas.
“So I believe this new park will provide the local people a more than public place near their home where they can enjoy the lakeside views, picnic times, activities, cultural events and recreational activities,” Ambassador Haiyan said.
Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Robert Persaud stated that the signing marks the beginning of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ties which is expected to be observed on June 27.
“China has been a very reliable developmental partner in a number of initiatives and we can point to several of those and there’s several more that we can see coming up in the future,” Persaud said.
