Palmyra Monument to be commissioned during India’s PM visit

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has confirmed that the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is expected to visit Guyana in December, which will also mark the commissioning of the Indian Indentureship Monument in Palmyra on the Corentyne, Berbice.

Sections of the monument after it came crashing down

This announcement was made at Monday morning’s post-Cabinet briefing where it was highlighted that Prime Minister Modi will be embarking on his first-ever visit to Guyana.
“I know he’s coming sometime early in December and that, of course, the Indian Monument at Palmyra, we’re working very seriously to ensure that that monument is completed and not only in the original format in which it came, but we’re doing some extensive work to ensure that it is something that is fitting for the Prime Minister to come and see when he gets here.”
The 12 feet by 12 feet Indian Indentureship Monument is being completed with extended works ongoing.
Minister Harmon indicated that additional works included a visitors’ gallery and security hut which would be constructed to the tune of $38 million.
“For the construction of a visitors’ gallery and security hut at the Indian Immigration Monument…a contract in the sum of $38,015,000 [was] awarded,” said the Minister of State.
The monument was designed and constructed in India at a cost of US$150,000, and was gifted to Guyana by the Government of India to symbolise the country’s cultural celebration.
However, in April 2017, the base for the structure came crashing down which prompted the Indian Government to request a report. It was later related that it offered to send skilled craftsmen to rebuild it.
Earlier this year, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had also indicated that over $63 million in contracts was awarded for the construction of a supporting structure which included works on the base.
Information from the Public Infrastructure Ministry indicated that the works commenced on August 14, and are expected to be completed by October 31.
The construction is divided into eight lots and involves the creation of a base and podium for the monument, peripheral structures such as a perimeter walkway and parking area, internal and external landscaping, roadway and drainage, lighting and the visitor’s gallery, fencing and the security hut.