CH&PA retakes control of Parliament Square

…after M&CC management leads to vagrants, garbage invasion

Parliament Square, a once beautiful garden situated at the corner of High Street and Brickdam opposite Parliament Buildings, Georgetown, is set for a full rehabilitation by the Housing and Water Ministry through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). 
The announcement was made by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during a site visit and assessment of the area on Wednesday. Minister Croal was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA Sherwyn Greaves and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Andre Ally.
The Minister explained that Parliament Square was originally conceptualised in 2012 under the Urban Renewal Plan (URP) by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who was the Housing and Water Minister at the time.
“It was to improve the aesthetics and to have the facility of a park that is different from the other parks that we have across the country,” Croal said.

M&CC management
However, it was placed under the purview of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) during the 2016-2020 period, and has since been overrun by vagrants and garbage dumped in and around the facility.
Late last year, Cabinet granted approval for the transferral of the area from M&CC back to CH&PA, and the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has since approved an absolute grant of ownership to the agency.
Given the passage of Budget 2021, Croal said, CH&PA will be taking immediate physical occupation of the area, which would include the presence of security. A snackette, which was in the initial plan of Parliament Square, to help in the recovery of funds, would also be realised in the restoration plan.
In expressing his disappointment in what the park has become, CEO Greaves said a Management Committee has been set up by CH&PA for the rehabilitation of Parliament Square.
“We now intend to bring it back to its glory, to what the then Minister and now President had envisioned for here. So, with that in mind, you will see, over the coming weeks and months, works being done here to bring it back to its former glory and (make it) even better. We will get the fountains working, get the fence working, put in new seats [and] new lights,” the CEO said. The scope of works would also include the restoration of the washroom facility.
Following completion of the project, persons will have to write directly to CH&PA for permission to use the area for special events. It would also be open for use to the general public.