President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Tuesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building modern, people-centred communities as the Model Community Initiative expanded to the East Bank of Demerara, with Kaneville becoming the first community in the area to benefit from the programme.
The initiative, launched in Region Three on Monday, is being rolled out in 22 communities along Guyana’s coastline. On the East Bank, works will begin in Kaneville, then move to Grove and Diamond.
Addressing residents during a community consultation, the president said the programme is designed to ensure that improved infrastructure is matched by investments that enhance the overall quality of life and strengthen community identity.
He explained that, “We believe that the transformation you seek in Georgetown must be the transformation you live and experience in your own villages.”
President Ali said the government’s approach recognises that lasting community development requires careful planning that integrates physical infrastructure with social, cultural and environmental considerations.
“The community is not made based on roads and drains and buildings; those are assets of the community. But the community is made up of people, environment, values, character, tradition and economy,” the president said.
He explained that the initiative will focus on creating neighbourhoods that are safer, more attractive and better organised through investments in roads, drainage, street lighting, security infrastructure, recreational facilities, green spaces and beautification.
The president also underscored the importance of orderly development, noting that residential areas must remain conducive to family life while accommodating economic activity through proper planning and designated commercial spaces.
He said the initiative aims to foster stronger social cohesion by creating environments where residents feel safe, public spaces are well maintained, and community life can flourish.
President Ali disclosed that teams of engineers, surveyors and planners have spent the past several months assessing Kaneville to identify priority interventions.
Residents were invited to review the proposed plans and offer recommendations before implementation begins.
Among the recommendations raised during the consultation was the establishment of safe spaces for single mothers, young people and other vulnerable groups within the community. Responding immediately,
President Ali committed to partnering with the community’s religious organisations to establish support centres at the churches, mosques and temples. He said these institutions can play an important role in providing counselling, guidance and other social services to residents.
He noted that the consultation forms part of a collaborative effort involving several government ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Housing and Water, Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), to ensure the community’s development reflects the needs and aspirations of its residents.