President tours D’Urban Park project

Apr 28, 2016 News

President David Granger has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work at the D’Urban Park Development Project, under the direction of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

President David Granger makes a point to Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson, during the visit to the D’Urban Park Development Project site earlier this morning.

The President was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Keith Jordan; and other representatives and officials from the Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Ministry of the Presidency.
President Granger toured the facility, early yesterday morning, even as the Public Infrastructure Ministry is implementing a double shift system to ensure that work is completed in time for the May 12 deadline.
He emphasised that the safety of the Guyanese people is a top priority. “The purpose of the visit is to find out exactly how much work has been achieved and how far it has gone. I am very satisfied.
“This is going to be the main area in the city for public events. We have made a lot of headway during 2015 and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure is now continuing that work. We are looking at capacity to ensure that the maximum number of citizens, particularly from central Georgetown, could have access to this facility. We are looking at safety and we are also looking at the events, which could be viewed [here],” he said.
The President gave the assurance that the facility will be brought to acceptable international standards and will be a venue Guyanese can be proud of.
Geoffrey Vaughn, Chief Works Officer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, said that he was pleased that the Ministry has been able to stick to the work despite inclement weather.
“We are reinforcing the stands, as there were concerns of the strength. The VIP stand is moving ahead and we are still hoping to wrap up everything in the 21 days. Everyone is working and we are working to meet May 12 deadline,” he said.
President Granger had mandated the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to take over the project, which was initially advanced under a public-private partnership model.
Government is hoping to have the facility ready for the hosting of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary celebrations.