President Irfaan Ali yesterday unveiled proposals to upgrade roads and drainage, install fire hydrants and expand security coverage at Leonora under a “Model Village Initiative” which he said would eventually reach every village in the country.
Ali made the presentation during a community outreach at Leonora, Region Three, broadcast on his Facebook page under the caption, “Public Consultation on Model Village Initiative—Leonora, West Bank Demerara Region 3.” It was one of six similar meetings scheduled for the day.
Dogged by unanswered questions surrounding the catastrophic sinking of MV Barima with the loss of at least 73 lives and his previously undisclosed farm at Long Creek, President Ali kicked off the initiative in the area from where he hails.
The President said the government wanted citizens to experience within their communities the transformation taking place in Georgetown. However, he said this would require cooperation among residents, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, Regional Democratic Councils and central government.
“It requires citizens doing what is right. It requires NDCs doing what is right. It requires the Regional Democratic Council doing what is right. It requires the government doing what is right,” he said.
Citing the 2022 census, Ali said almost three out of every four Guyanese still reside in villages, making their development central to improving citizens’ quality of life.
“If development does not reach the level of the village, then development has not fully reached the people,” he said.
Ali said villages had historically been centres of agriculture, commerce, craftsmanship, worship and community life. However, many had expanded beyond the capacity of their infrastructure, while residents increasingly travelled elsewhere to work, attend school, shop and conduct business.
He warned that some villages were becoming “dormitories”, where residents returned principally to sleep, and were also becoming more impersonal.
“We have houses beside houses, but sometimes we don’t have the neighbourly love that is important in our country,” he said.
Ali said economic growth must produce better homes, roads and drainage; safer communities; adequate lighting; recreational spaces; improved services; opportunities for young people; and cleaner surroundings.
“We must translate national prosperity into community prosperity,” he declared.
The initiative would be based on four areas—connectivity, community, commerce and care.
Connectivity would include roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, street lighting, pedestrian crossings and links to schools, workplaces, markets and services.
Community would focus on rebuilding the social fabric of villages and providing playfields, parks and facilities for youths and senior citizens.
“You can build beautiful roads and excellent buildings and still have a poor community,” Ali said.
Under commerce, space would be created for agriculture, markets, small businesses, workshops, artisans, light manufacturing, digital businesses and other enterprises.
“A village cannot thrive if everyone has to leave it every morning to find economic opportunity elsewhere,” he said.
The care component would cover education, healthcare, safety, security, vulnerable residents and the physical environment. Ali called for clean drains, proper waste management, maintained verges, landscaping, parks and green spaces.
“The government cannot do this alone. People must embrace this concept,” he said.
The President invited residents to identify where roads, drainage, lighting, playgrounds and services were needed and what aspects of their community should be preserved.
“Tell us what works. Tell us what does not work. Tell us what should be preserved. Tell us what must change,” he urged.
He stressed that the initiative would not impose an identical design on every community.
“A model village does not mean that every village must look the same. We do not want to erase the character of our communities,” he said.
Turning to Leonora, Ali said surveys of village infrastructure had been conducted over the previous three months. The community was divided into nine zones for the assessment, which covered approximately 360 acres.
The proposals are expected to benefit an estimated 1,153 households and target approximately 12.7 kilometres of roads and 24.5 kilometres of drains for upgrading.
The plan also includes additional green spaces, landscaping, decorative plants, the alignment of utility poles and improved street lighting.
Fire hydrants would be installed in phases, with priority given to commercial and residential areas and locations near schools.
Ali also announced plans to extend the Safe Country security programme from the main highway into communities.
“You’ll see an expansion of the Safe Country into the Safe Community,” he said.
The security proposals include containerised police offices and outposts, along with greater use of all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles to improve mobility.
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