By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News |
POUDEROYEN, WEST BANK DEMERARA — The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has officially broken ground for the construction of a modern, two-storey municipal market at Pouderoyen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), advancing a national capital drive to modernize municipal trading spaces and absorb informal roadside vending into structured commercial centers.
Minister Priya Manickchand officiated the sod-turning ceremony over the weekend, unveiling a $1,519,219,578 investment designed to replace the aging, constrained market with an expanded facility intended to stimulate commercial activity across the West Demerara corridor.
Expanding Capacity: Absorbing Roadside Venders and Entrepreneurs
The current Pouderoyen Market houses 78 registered stallholders, operating in heavily congested conditions that have driven overflow trading onto nearby traffic corridors. The new complex is engineered to scale up capacity significantly:
- Inclusion of Roadside Sellers: Minister Manickchand explained that the facility will prioritize current roadside and itinerant sellers, providing them with dedicated stalls to clear the public roadway while formalizing their trade.
- New Micro-Enterprises: Expanded capacity will accommodate emerging small business owners and agricultural producers from neighbouring communities looking for stable retail space.
- Two-Storey Municipal Center: Designed by Skylines Architecture Inc., the two-storey complex incorporates architectural motifs reflective of the West Demerara heritage, pairing stall accommodations with modern sanitary facilities, safety infrastructure, and organized loading bays.
“These are projects designed to make sure your life changes. These are projects designed to make sure your children’s life will change, that they will have a life of plenty, that they will not have the struggles you had,” Minister Manickchand told gathered residents and vendors. “Where there is interest and love matched by investment, we see growth in that particular sector.”
Cross-River Commerce and the New Demerara Bridge Link
Minister Manickchand framed the project within President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s broader urban integration agenda, which combines improved drainage, community lighting, paved roadways, and recreational zones with commercial nodes.
The Minister noted that with new transportation links across the Demerara River nearing completion, the market is positioned to attract cross-river commerce:
- Regional Market Draw: Manickchand highlighted that commuters and shoppers from East Bank Demerara in Region Four will cross directly to access fresh produce and artisanal retail in Pouderoyen.
- New Economic Ecosystem: The anticipated influx of cross-river traffic will build a resilient retail trade hub along the West Bank public road.
“Once this is up and running, you’re going to see Region Four people from the East Bank coming right here to shop,” the Minister stated. “And that is going to bring a different kind of economy and eco structure financially to your villages and to this village in particular.”
Contractor Obligations and Strict Delivery Timeline
Turning her attention to project execution, Minister Manickchand delivered a warning to private contractors executing state-funded infrastructure, reiterating that contractual agreements must be met with precision:
- Contract Award: The multi-billion-dollar construction contract has been awarded to Kalitech Inc.
- Delivery Window: Civil works are slated for completion within 18 months, adhering strictly to the specifications established by Skylines Architecture Inc.
- Accountability Stance: The Minister emphasized that the administration will enforce compliance with project milestones, ensuring public funds result in quality craftsmanship delivered within the agreed timeline.
The Ministry of Local Government reaffirmed that additional market enhancement projects are being prepared across the country to improve the working conditions of vendors and the public shopping experience.
