HGP Nightly News – President Irfaan Ali has announced that the long-anticipated transformation of the Georgetown Zoo and Botanical Gardens will begin shortly, but the announcement has also renewed focus on previous budgetary allocations made for similar works at the same facility.
The Head of State made the announcement during the commissioning of the Guyana-China Friendship Park in Region Three, where he said the project would form part of a wider plan to improve public spaces and urban life.
“I’m pleased to announce that the Georgetown Zoo and Botanical Gardens transformation project will commence with an investment that would make it the pride of South America,” President Ali said.
According to the President, the project will focus on recreation, education, biodiversity awareness, tourism and improved urban life. He said the works will include the full rehabilitation of gardens and water systems, modern zoo infrastructure, improved animal care and containment, visitor facilities, accessibility upgrades, education spaces, security and operational systems, elevated bridges, pathways and landscape restoration.
The announcement closely mirrors earlier commitments made during the 2025 budget consideration, when Government outlined that $2 billion would be used to develop a proper facility to house and showcase animals, along with education-related spaces at the Zoological Park.
Previously, in 2024, $100 million was budgeted for upgrading facilities, furniture and equipment at the Botanical Gardens, Zoological Park and National Park.
However, publicly available information does not make clear how much of the 2025 allocation has already been spent, what works were completed, or whether the President’s latest announcement represents the start of works under the 2025 programme, a continuation of that programme, or a new phase of investment.
In the 2026 budget, about $114 million was identified for improving public facilities in urban parks, a broader allocation that does not appear to match the scale of the zoo transformation now being described. This raises questions about whether the works are being financed from the 2025 allocation, a rollover of previously approved funds, or another funding source.
President Ali has framed the project as a value-for-money investment.
“Because of the size and complexity of this site, the project delivers a fantastic facility,” he said, adding that “it will make it a strong value for money investment.”
The upgraded facility is also expected to be linked to a wider network of city walkways, including green, architectural, cultural, commercial and waterfront corridors.
The announcement signals another major public-space redevelopment project for the capital. But given the previous allocations already approved for the Zoological Park and related facilities, the key issue now is not only when the works will begin, but how the earlier funds were used and whether the latest project represents new spending or delayed implementation of an existing commitment.
