Sod turned for New $1.3B Zeelugt market 

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand on Wednesday turned the sod for the construction of a new $1.3 billion Zeelugt Market, which is expected to accommodate more than 90 vendors and provide a safer, more organised environment for traders and shoppers in the East Bank Essequibo community.

Key features of the facility will include a dedicated children’s play area; administrative offices and training facilities; parking facilities for vendors and customers, along with a designated taxi bay; vendor stalls organised into designated sections for meat and fish, fresh produce, prepared foods, beauty and personal care products, and other goods and services to facilitate efficient operations and ease of access for customers; and modern washroom facilities, an integrated waste management system, and comprehensive security measures to support a clean, safe, and well-maintained market environment.
The new Zeelugt Market is being developed as a modern, well-planned commercial facility designed to improve trading conditions, enhance accessibility, and provide a comfortable and secure environment for vendors and shoppers alike.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony, Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand highlighted the state-of-the-art amenities set to come with the new market.
“Right now, we have 54 vendors either in the market, which is here, or on their shoulders, and we have a car park over at the end. We’re going to build a market that is going to be able to cater to 90 vendors, almost double what you currently have. The market is going to be a dry market; that means goods, vegetables and fruits, clothes, jewellery and crafts, but also a wet market for fish and meat.”
Meanwhile, the Minister highlighted the phases of the project and its completion date.
“It’s a 14-month contract, and that you should see begin almost immediately. I’m very pleased to be able to do that with all of you here for you. And usually we come here and tell you we’re doing something for you. But I want to remind you that you did this for yourself. How did you do it for yourself? Because you went last year and you chose this Government.”
She said the Government has changed its approach to awarding contracts in an effort to prevent delays and ensure greater accountability throughout the construction process.
She explained that under the previous model, different contractors were responsible for separate aspects of a project, meaning delays in one phase could hold up the entire development. According to Manickchand, the new model assigns contractors responsibility from the floor to the ceiling, making their performance more visible and allowing their ability to deliver to be more easily assessed.
The Minister also called on the contractors involved in the Zeelugt Market project to employ skilled workers and labourers from the surrounding communities where possible.
She acknowledged concerns raised by some contractors about challenges with retaining local workers, noting that some employees reportedly leave work after receiving their weekly wages and do not return until several days later.
Regional Chairman Inshan Ayube expressed pride in the ongoing development taking place across Region Three, highlighting the Government’s investments in several sectors.
Ayube said the region’s development extends beyond improvements to roads and markets, pointing to advancements in education, healthcare and other areas that directly impact the lives of residents.
He noted that the scale of development across the region provides reason for the Government to “hold our heads high”, while emphasising the importance of investments that positively affect the well-being of the people.
Ayube said the construction of housing schemes across Region Three is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy by stimulating activity in the housing and commercial sectors.
He also explained that increased housing construction would lead to greater circulation of money within communities, while creating opportunities for businesses and residents to benefit from the resulting economic activity.