Model village plans stir row as NA council claims it was sidelined

Aug 12, 2026 News

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By Shermon Hawker

(Kaieteur News) – The New Amsterdam Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) has been left out of comprehensive discussions on the government’s plans to modernise and reconfigure the town’s physical layout.

Mayor Wainwright McIntosh said that, at the very least, the body responsible for overseeing New Amsterdam should have been formally included in discussions about the town’s development.

At a public consultation exercise on Saturday at Berbice High School (BHS), President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh presented sweeping proposals for the beautification and infrastructural upgrading of New Amsterdam.

The plans form part of the government’s model village initiative, under which the president has been visiting communities with members of his cabinet to engage residents and gather feedback.

However, at a press conference on Tuesday, New Amsterdam’s municipal leaders said they felt sidelined from the process.

“Let me be clear—the Mayor and Town Council must not be treated as spectators in the development of this town. The New Amsterdam Town Council is the elected local democratic authority responsible for representing the interests of the residents of this historic municipality,” McIntosh said.

The mayor stressed that the municipality is not opposed to plans to modernise and improve the town, but said the council should be informed and consulted beforehand, even where there may be differences between the municipality and central government.

“We therefore call on the Government of Guyana to respect the role and authority of the New Amsterdam Town Council, and to establish a consistent mechanism for consultation and collaboration with the municipality. We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for respect for local democracy, we are asking for meaningful consultation, we are asking for partnership in development, and most importantly, we are asking that the people of New Amsterdam have their elected municipal representatives at the table whenever decisions concerning their town are being made,” McIntosh said.

He said the government and municipality should work together to improve infrastructure, stimulate economic activity, protect the environment, enhance public spaces, strengthen drainage and sanitation systems, and make New Amsterdam a cleaner and safer town.

McIntosh said he would continue advocating for the residents of New Amsterdam, pointing specifically to plans for the upgrading of Esplanade Park.

A futuristic impression presented by the government during Saturday’s consultation showed proposed gazebos, a children’s play area, sports and fitness facilities, and green and open spaces, among other features.

However, McIntosh said the municipality would also be pursuing its own ambitious plans for the park, including the construction of a waterfront boardwalk, recreational and sporting facilities and other amenities.

Deputy Mayor Kirk Fraser also criticised the council’s exclusion from the government’s discussions.

“We do not have a problem with development. We would like to see our town developed to its full potential, but it can’t be done in the manner of a big-stick method. And what we are seeing constantly is an overreaching arm of central government in local democracy,” Fraser said.

Fraser also presented the council’s own model for the town, which includes a proposed transformation of Republic Road to accommodate a water sports canal and create both commercial and recreational spaces.

“If central government was keen on inclusionary democracy, they could have always talked to us, and we would have shared this plan, because we believe that this plan is going to help move the town forward in terms of tourism and the development of green spaces,” Fraser said.

He disclosed that the council is pursuing international funding to undertake the proposed projects.

Meanwhile, the municipality has renewed its frustration over delays in receiving its annual government subvention, which Fraser said is affecting its ability to carry out major capital works.

Fraser said the council had budgeted for specific machinery to help clean drains, an issue of major concern to residents, but has been unable to proceed because the subvention has not yet been received.

“We would have prepared in this year’s subvention for a specific piece of machinery that is going to help us to ensure that the drains that are of main concern to residents are cleaned. But mind you, we’re in the eighth month of the year. The budget was passed in February, we have not received any subvention to date, and that is what is affecting our work programme for the year 2026,” Fraser said.

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• Berbice High School, Model village, NA council, Wainwright McIntosh

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