Major market upgrades, modern landfill overhaul nationwide announced

…plan targets improved facilities, strengthened management

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced an aggressive and wide-ranging plan to upgrade and transform local Government areas across the country, with heavy emphasis on rehabilitating market facilities, strengthening local market management, modernising landfill sites and expanding recreational spaces in urban and suburban communities. The Head of State made the announcement during a press conference in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), where he is currently leading a two-day Cabinet outreach focused on development programmes and community engagement. President Ali noted that the Government has already commenced major improvement works aimed at enhancing governance, service delivery and community involvement. “We have commenced work across the country, dealing with landfill sites, markets, beautification, citizenry inclusion, and involvement in development and improvement in governance and service delivery at the NDC level. And we are going to pursue these initial areas vigorously,” the President emphasised. In Guyana, the local Government is made up of 80 Local Government Organs (LGO), comprising 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and 10 municipalities. Minister of Local Government, Priya Manickchand was also present at the press conference on Friday.

The President outlined a comprehensive national programme for the rehabilitation of market facilities, beginning with Region Six, which has seven markets earmarked for upgrading. “In the entire country, there are 28 permanent markets,” he noted, adding that immediate interventions will include the installation of proper stalls, improved flooring and drainage, upgraded roofing and ventilation, enhanced sanitation and waste-disposal systems, garbage receptacles, lighting, water access, and strengthened fire safety and security features. Equally important, he said, will be the strengthening of market management structures.
“We will establish a national committee that will be integrated with all of these local market committees to ensure the infrastructure, the functionality, the investment, and the market themselves represent part of the transformation and the positive imaging of the regions and communities,” the President said.
“The markets are an important part of our tourism and cultural economy; we therefore have to invest, and not only invest, but ensure that the management of the market brings continuous results for the investments that we are making.”
The President shared that his team had to “read the riot act” to the management of the Skeldon Market for imposing administrative burdens without consulting the region or the Ministry, negatively affecting vendors and consumers.
The President said the 16:00h closure of the Corriverton Municipal Market, which vendors have bitterly complained about, should be removed as it hinders the livelihood of vendors.

Solid waste disposal
Addressing solid waste disposal, President Ali emphasised that the Government is moving toward safe, predictable and environmentally approved waste-management systems. He announced that two landfill sites in Region Six are currently under construction or rehabilitation, with additional areas being identified, particularly as relates to the handling of medical waste.
“These are modern sites that we’re going to invest in, not garbage sites. Proper landfill sites,” he stressed. According to the President, the upcoming 2026 national budget will include specific allocations for developing modern landfill sites. With access roads to existing and proposed sites already being upgraded. “Roads and access to these sites are already receiving our attention. In fact, we want to have accessibility to these sites completed so that in 2026 we will be able to focus heavily on the development of the site themselves,’ the President said. The President shared that the Government has also already begun investing heavily in waste-management equipment, including garbage compactors, trucks, and bins for every NDC. He noted that plans are in the works to have large compactors installed in markets and other urban and suburban areas to streamline waste processing and disposal. Another major part of the initiative will be focused on improving quality of life through accessible recreational spaces. The President noted that this will be done in partnership with the Office of the First Lady. “We will also be building out our suburban areas,” the President explained, stressing that families, women, children and the elderly should have safe, well-designed spaces for wellness, recreation, and community engagement. “These facilities will include areas that will stipulate creativity, adding to the orange economy. Areas that will be dedicated for children, areas that will be built in such a way that it is friendly for those who require special assistance. We want every group in our committee and our region to enjoy these facilities,” the President said.