$13.1B approved for upgrades to Mon Repos, Parika Markets

…Mon Repos Market to feature mezzanine floor – Minister

Continued upgrades of the Mon Repos and Parika Markets, which will have mezzanine floors and other advanced features, will be funded from a $13.1 Billion allocation out of the $781.9 Billion budget.
This was revealed during day three of the budget estimates by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, who was asked about a $13.1 billion allocation to his Ministry. Questioned if works on upgrading the markets would be finished this year, the Minister noted that these upgrades were a continuous exercise.
“Resources have been geared towards Parika, Mon Repos, Charity, many markets across the country. And we have consistently been upgrading these markets during different phases. So, until we’re finished, we’ll see resources every year allocated in the budget for these markets. For instance, at Mon Repos, we are at the eastern wing.
“We are about complete. We will have tiled surfaces and almost modern, the eastern wing. We’ve also begun construction on the western wing, which will have a mezzanine floor as well, something that is alien to market structures in the country, but which are a norm in many developed countries. So, Mon Repos will be one of those outstanding markets.”
Meanwhile, work will also be done on the Parika Market, which has been congested for some time. The Minister explained that the market would be rebuilt in steel, ensuring that more people, including vendors who have transgressed on the road, could be housed in the market. Dharamlall also explained the rationale of upgrading these markets, noting their importance to the village economy.
“The area has been relatively congested for a number of years. And we’ve taken a decision to, as a Government, in phases, to expand the market, rebuild it in steel, so that more persons can be housed in the market. And hopefully when we finish, we can get the vendors who have transgressed on to the road, for them to get into the market in a proper environment and ply their trade,” he said.
“We’ve put a lot of resources towards transforming regional economies. And market places are a significant centre of business in many of our regions. And these markets have been a hodgepodge arrangement… So, President Ali, during many of his outreaches and after numerous supplications from people, we have decided as a Government to enhance the quality of service at these markets,” the Minister further explained.
The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry had begun Phase One of rehabilitation works on the Mon Repos Market, East Coast Demerara (ECD), back in January 2021.
It was reported in December 2020 that Minister Dharamlall decided to upgrade the facility after learning of its dilapidated state. In fact, it was decided that several other markets would undergo infrastructural upgrades.
“We will be rehabilitating fences, roofs, creating bigger washrooms with much better services. We will also look at the drainage within the markets and the basic flow of people in the market and that will only be the first phase, because we intend to go to different phases with these markets,” the Minister was quoted as saying. (G3)