By| Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
Unfinished Playground Sparks Outrage in North Annandale: Residents Demand Results for $180M Investment
NORTH ANNANDALE, EAST COAST DEMERARA — A symbol of community pride is quickly becoming a source of bitter frustration for residents of North Annandale. Despite a staggering $180 million (GYD) allocation and high-profile visits from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the local playground remains a patch of overgrown grass and exposed fencing, leaving families questioning the transparency of the project.
Antonio Dey returned to the site to speak with residents who say the “rehabilitation” currently looks more like a construction site than a sanctuary for children.
The “Disappearing” Playground Equipment
The primary grievance from the community is the total absence of actual play structures. While the government pledged a modern facility, the grounds currently lack:
- Fundamental Gear: No swings, slides, or see-saws have been installed.
- Safety Concerns: Exposed fencing and uneven terrain make the area hazardous for unsupervised play.
- Maintenance Issues: Large sections of the field are currently overtaken by tall weeds and grass.
Confusion Over Construction: “Drains instead of Revetment”
Residents, including members of the Guyanese diaspora who have returned to support local development, expressed bafflement at the engineering choices being made on-site.
- Rasi Outar: A US-based Guyanese descendant, noted that while the community was promised work on critical revetment (retaining walls to prevent soil erosion), the contractors have instead spent time digging drains. “It’s confusing… it baffles the locals,” Outar remarked.
- Surendralall Mohabir: Echoed the frustration, noting that the community used to maintain these grounds independently with more success than the current state-funded project.
Where is the $180 Million?
The most stinging criticism involves the project’s budget. With $180 million reportedly earmarked for this development, residents argue that the visible progress is nowhere near reflective of such a massive investment.
“The current state of the playground fails to reflect such investment. We need transparency and we need this finished for the children.” — Community sentiment in North Annandale
Minister Ramson’s Pledge vs. Local Reality
During a previous visit, Minister Charles Ramson Jr. assured the community that the area would be fully rehabilitated to serve as a hub for sport and social connection. However, with the site currently “stalled,” the playground has become a symbol of broken communication between the Ministry and the people of East Coast Demerara.
The Community’s Demand:
- A Clear Timeline: When will the play equipment be installed?
- Financial Accountability: A breakdown of how the $180M is being spent.
- Basic Maintenance: Immediate clearing of the overgrown vegetation.
As the grass grows higher, the children of North Annandale continue to wait for a safe space to “gather, play, and grow.”
