G/town revival plan: Pres Ali announces mapping of city’s drains, housing stock & recreational parks

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration is actively pursuing the full rescue of Georgetown, with President Dr Irfaan Ali revealing plans for a major mapping initiative of the drainage, housing stock and recreational facilities across the capital city. At a press conference last month, the Head of State had launched the Government’s plan for the revival of Georgetown and the rescue of the city by transforming Georgetown into a sustainable, modern capital while preserving its unique heritage and identity. Speaking at the commissioning of the $1.3 billion New Cummings Lodge Water Treatment Plant on Saturday afternoon, President Ali indicated that his administration intends to start working in an accelerated way to advance this initiative. To this end, he announced plans to create a Geographic Information System (GIS) of the entire drainage system across Georgetown. A GIS is a computer system that analyses and displays geographically referenced information. “I’ve already directed that a full mapping and condition survey of every drain in the city be done, placed on GIS, and after that we will launch a massive drainage programme across every street, every alley, every single area in Georgetown,” the Guyanese leader stated. Similarly, the Head of State detailed plans for the mapping of all the capital city’s housing stock and recreational facilities. “I’ve asked for a full mapping of all the housing stock in Georgetown so that we can develop a sustainable urban housing plan that would ensure the housing stock issue in the city is dealt with. I’ve also asked for a mapping of every recreational facility and a condition survey so that we can invest in recreation to bring a quality of life in the city that leads to wellness,” he added.

According to President Ali, these works are ongoing as he implored with the citizens of Georgetown to support Government in its efforts to revive and rescue the city. “We have to clean it up, fix it up, nice it up, and place it among the most beautiful city in this region… There’s not a choice. I don’t know who gave you a choice… But the people of Georgetown, you will have choices to make. We want you to walk the long journey with us,” he declared.

‘Garden City’ inefficiency, neglect
During the September 16 press conference – his first after being re-elected as President for a second term following the recent General and Region Elections – President Ali declared that the longstanding mismanagement of Georgetown “can no longer be tolerated”, as he rolled out the Government-backed revival plan aimed at transforming the capital into a model city of sustainability, heritage and modern urban development. The Head of State had stressed that the capital, once famed as the “Garden City”, has suffered years of inefficiency and neglect under its current management at the Peoples National Congress (PNC)-led Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC). “The condition of our city and the mismanagement and inefficiency through which the city is managed can no longer be tolerated. And we believe that it is time for us as citizens and as a country to take charge of the situation. And I want to launch from the Government work in advancing the rescue of Georgetown,” the President asserted, as he underscored that future leadership at the municipal level will be critical to the city’s success.

Revival plan
As such, with support from the King’s Foundation, the Government is embarking on its city revival plan. The framework will focus on sustainable urban development, heritage preservation, biodiversity, and citizen engagement. It forms part of the broader Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and outlines 15 flagship projects ranging from new recreational spaces and upgraded drainage networks to architectural restoration and public education campaigns to change attitudes toward waste and city upkeep. Highlighting Georgetown’s role as the heart of the nation, Ali pointed to billions already spent by the Government on infrastructure, including new highways, expanded housing schemes, drainage upgrades, and the high-span Demerara River Bridge. These investments, he noted, span drainage upgrades, new pumping stations, expanded roads, and beautification projects aimed at ensuring the city is safe, attractive, and economically competitive.
The President also pointed to the rehabilitation of the Botanical Gardens and upgrades to the zoo, re-engineered sidewalks, and new roundabouts as part of the capital works already completed. He highlighted that private sector investment has complemented the Government’s spending, with several new hotels, office complexes, and restaurants emerging across Georgetown.
The revival plan emphasises Georgetown’s historic identity as a garden city, promoting landscaping, green spaces, and biodiversity alongside modern infrastructure. The First Lady’s ongoing work to beautify villages and city streets, Ali had noted, will complement the Government’s push for cleaner, greener, and more vibrant communities. The President further reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to financing the revival of Georgetown with funding to be drawn from the national budget.