By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
President Irfaan Ali on Sunday unveiled plans to transform Tiger Bay into Georgetown’s first official “model neighbourhood,” signalling the start of a major urban renewal push aimed at addressing long-standing social, environmental, and security challenges in the area.
The Head of State, accompanied by a high-level team, visited the community for a walkabout engagement with residents and announced that Tiger Bay will become the pilot site for a new national community-enhancement initiative.
During the visit, President Ali stated that Tiger Bay was chosen because it reflects many of the complex issues prevalent across urban Guyana, making it an ideal testing ground for solutions that could later be replicated elsewhere.
“We are making it the model neighbourhood because we have every type of problem and every type of solution within this neighbourhood,” the President told residents.
“And then we have the greatest of social issues in the same community—and that is what we have to fix as a community.”
Community Partnership at the Center
The President emphasized that the project will rely heavily on collaboration between residents, law enforcement, and government agencies.
He said the administration intends to promote shared responsibility for keeping the neighbourhood safe, clean, and properly maintained.
“We are going to work with the community in creating community ownership, community security, because you will have to help us and the police to keep these communities safe and clean,” President Ali stated.
A special committee, led by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, has already begun consultations with residents and is coordinating the preliminary phases of the initiative.
Part of Wider Effort to “Rescue Georgetown”
The announcement comes as the government continues its multi-year programme to modernize Georgetown’s infrastructure and public spaces.
A multi-agency team working on the capital city’s Drainage Development Plan recently began clearing alleyways, marking one of the early steps on the broader improvement agenda.
President Ali stated that the Tiger Bay initiative aligns with a national effort toward sustainable urban development, enhanced public safety, and increased tourism appeal.
Tourism Walking Route Planned
One feature of the proposed transformation is the creation of a safe and scenic “walking tourism lane” through downtown Georgetown. This initiative would position Tiger Bay as a key stop along the route.
“We want this community to be a safe community, because part of the Rescue Georgetown programme is to make this route… from the Seawall to Avenue of the Republic… down to South Road… back into the Botanical Gardens… the walking tourism lanes of Guyana,” the President said.
Recreation, Training, and Social Support Services Coming
Residents were also informed that the neighbourhood will see the construction of new recreational facilities equipped with modern sporting amenities.
The plan includes:
- A youth training and skills-development centre
- Specialised support programmes for women and children
- Community-led security and maintenance systems
These efforts, the President said, are part of a long-term strategy to uplift families, reduce social vulnerabilities, and promote safer living environments.
Nightly News was unable to independently verify whether architectural designs for the “model neighbourhood” have already been completed. However, officials indicated that concept plans are currently being developed.
The Tiger Bay transformation is expected to roll out in phases over the coming months.
