The new landscape of the Joe Vieira Park is closer to realisation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waiving the Environmental Impact Assessment. The project, which will see the park upgraded to a family and lifestyle-oriented facility, the EPA said, will not significantly impact the environment.
Providing reasons for the decision, the EPA said the impacts on air quality will be short term during the construction phase, localised and can be mitigated. It stated too that the air quality will be monitored throughout the lifecycle of the project.
Additionally, it was stated that construction of the project will generate moderate noise pollution and cease at the commencement of operations. “Heavy duty machines and equipment will have mufflers installed in mitigating noise pollution. Hence, noise emissions are not expected to exceed 90dB,” the agency said.
The EPA also said that the process will not disturb the water quality and bio septic systems will be used on site and serviced by a sanitation service provider.
Further, the EPA said, while waste generation is expected to be at a minimum, a waste management plan will be developed and implemented for solid and liquid waste.
“Recyclable waste will be separated from general waste, while tree stumps and older trees to be cleared will be collected by GuySuCo to generate power from the incinerator,” the environmental regulator said. It added that garbage bins will be placed at the strategic areas on site and collected by the sanitation service provider.
A traffic management plan will be developed and implemented to mitigate traffic congestion around the project area.
However, the EPA cautioned that the waiving of the EIA in no way means final approval has been given for the project and anyone who wishes to object to the agency’s decision may lodge an appeal within 30 days of the publication of the notice.
Appeals against the EPA’s decision should be addressed to The Chairman, The Environmental Assessment Board, eabguyana21@gmail.com
In an earlier report, Stabroek News had reported that the transformation of Joe Vieira Park on the West Bank Demerara will take some 20 months to complete, according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar.
In January an agreement between the governments of Guyana and China was signed at the Office of the President for the project. The Region Three park is being transformed into a modern recreational space and estimated to cost between US$10 million and US$12 million.
During the ceremony, acting Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission and National Parks Commission Jason Fraser had stated that 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: “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 added 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 had noted that the signing of the agreement for the project came as the two countries approached 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 revealed 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. She noted that many green spaces and tourist attractions in Guyana were 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,” she had said.
Foreign Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Robert Persaud stated that the signing marked the beginning of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ties, 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.
