Revitalising Georgetown and Embracing National Development

Dear Editor,
Congratulations are in order for President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on the successful completion of the Demerara River Bridge – a historic achievement that paves the way for further infrastructural progress. We are confident he will also make history with the long-awaited bridging of the Corentyne River. Suriname has shown respect and compassion to our people in the past, offering over 25,000 Guyanese refuge and dignity when they needed it most. That friendship is special, and further, it will integrate Guyana with South America.
I welcome President Ali’s plan to revitalise the capital city, Georgetown. For too long this city has been poorly administered due to divisive politics and corruption. It is unacceptable that in the heart of our capital city, people are forced to eat near open, stinking sewers. The trench running alongside Bourda Market and extending past SleepIn Hotel to the Queenstown Mosque is a health hazard – stagnant, foul-smelling, and infested with mosquitoes and sand flies. This is not just an eyesore but a threat to public health and dignity.
The drains along many of our market areas are choked with human waste, garbage, and other refuse. This situation reflects years of neglect. Our people deserve better, and the president’s plan will remake Georgetown so that we can all be proud of it.
We need to look to modern, sustainable models – such as the Netherlands’ advanced water management systems, where pumping stations keep canals and drains circulating constantly. We must implement similar infrastructure here. Drains and trenches should be properly backed with concrete or reinforced with steel to ensure durability. Furthermore, those who violate environmental and sanitation laws must face strict penalties. Enough is enough.
Our urban spaces are also plagued by uncontrolled noise and vulgarity. The chaos in central Georgetown must be addressed with clear enforcement of public decency and noise regulations.
In President Ali’s plan, we will see a radical shift in urban planning. Car parks and bus terminals will be moved outside the city core to reduce congestion and pollution. Access to the inner city, especially around Parliament and key Government buildings, will be restricted. This aligns with the Government’s current initiative of decentralising essential services and relocating them out of central Georgetown – a move that will be accelerated.
On a national scale, I suspect that the Essequibo River will be bridged to fully integrate and consolidate our territorial sovereignty. Not only will this improve defence capabilities, but it will also open vast opportunities for settlement, investment, and economic expansion in one of Guyana’s most underdeveloped yet resource-rich regions. The timing is perfect. We must not allow Nicolás Maduro or anyone else to intimidate or interfere with the development of Essequibo – a land that belongs to all Guyanese.
Guyana remains a lush, green haven – a rising star in both local and international tourism. From its vibrant rainforests and countless waterfalls to serene lakes, majestic mountains, open grasslands, and scenic coastlines, Guyana is a truly blessed land. Unlike many regions gripped by growing economic, ethnic and religious conflict, our nation stands as a beacon of peace and natural beauty.
Let us rise together – clean our cities, modernise our infrastructure, and defend every inch of our beloved homeland.

Yours sincerely,
Ray Chickrie