By Annette Ferguson MP- The lands East of the 1763 Monument, bordered West of the Cliff Anderson Sport Hall, North of Homestretch Avenue and South of Hadfield Street is an important piece of real estate belonging to the state and by extension the people of Guyana.
Persons who lived and once lived along Hadfield Street, would reminisce the good old days of that square being used for ‘horse racing and other activities.’ As time evolved, the area became neglected and was used as a dumping site for carcasses and other unwanted household furniture. The area suffered major neglect by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. As a young girl, traversing that corridor with my parents, I recall the area was like a “jungle scenery.”
On taking office in May 2015, and preparing to usher in our nation’s fiftieth anniversary as an Independent Nation on May 26, 2016, a massive cleanup campaign was rolled out by then President David Granger, which saw a major transformation in the outlook of Georgetown. His vision also, was to transform the surroundings in close proximity of the 1763 Berbice Slave Revolt Monument, including the rehabilitation of the Independence Arch, since the intention was to use the plot of land as the venue for the Independence Celebrations.
Many, including Civil Society, accepted the vision of President Granger and joined in making their contributions, through monetary donations, equipment, providing materials and skills. It must be known that NOT one cent or dollar from the nation’s coffers was used in the initial stages. It was love, cooperation and through patriotism, Guyanese worked tirelessly to realize that dream. The celebrations at the venue saw a coming together of Guyanese from all strata and parts of our country.
However, the FACTS must be told and at the same time, the continuous misinformation and propaganda spreading of this project by Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, who in my estimation has proven to be a pathological liar and will not cease, perhaps until he cannot speak. He along with his acolytes continues to shout that this project was marred by corruption and the biggest scandal (using Bishop Edghill’s words), but has failed to substantiate their claims.
The Durban Park transformational project was managed by a committee under the name “Homestretch Development Company.”
On realising that the project was not moving the way it should to ensure the deadline is met for a May 26, 2016, Central Government got involved, in which the Ministry of Public Works had Oversight for the project to its final stage of completion for the Independence Celebrations.
I will share below an extract from an article carried by Demerara Waves online news of April 21, 2016. “Government has earmarked some $150M for the completion of the Durban Park Project which has been taken under the wings of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson at a press conference on Thursday noted that cabinet approved the monies at its last meeting and the Ministry will now be taking full responsibility for the project.”
The article further stated, “The monies however will only be used for works from the present stage of the project. The source(s) of funding to take the project to its current state are still unknown.
Patterson said that all of the funding would have been via donations; however he did not reveal who those donors were.
The Minister revealed that construction works are expected to be completed in 21 days – which would make its completion date on May 12. However, additional cosmetic work would be done thereafter taking its final completion date to May 17.
According to Patterson, work is currently being done by seven contractors and the venue will have the capacity to hold just about 18,900 persons.
While monies have been approved by Cabinet, Patterson pointed out that the government has not dismissed other options for funding and attempts will be made to secure a grant for the project.
MPI Coordinator of the Works Services Geoffrey Vaughn explained that “multiple and simultaneous work activities will be done…we will have double shifts so you will have one set of workers during the day and another shift during the evening.”
I have taken the liberty to share the entire article above, since my readers should have an understanding of the birthing of the Durban Park project, the sources of funding and completion. It is sad when some leaders can go to the level of confusing our people and misleading them. That is why it is imperative for us to have an educated nation. With the advent of technology, it allows for fact checking of information instantaneously, at the click of a button.
I am acutely aware of this project, when the Ministry of Public Infrastructure was tasked with overseeing the project to the end. I recall the Ministry Team met with all contractors and suppliers to ascertain from them how we will work going forward. That is, in a more structured and formal setting for accountability purposes, since taxpayers monies were used to fund the final stages of the project.
The area was and still being used by many persons on a daily basis for various activities, including exercise. Also, the area was maintained regularly by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Since the change of Government, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has blatantly placed a blind eye on the maintenance and upkeep of the facility. This, I can only conclude of them being vindictive and careless for the welfare of the citizens. Why? The initiative to transform the landscape was NOT theirs. Rather than building on what a previous government did, they would prefer to deliberately leave it to rot, then castigate the Coalition Government with their lies.
I do remember discussions were had regarding under which sector agency should the maintenance of this facility be placed. It was then suggested by the Ministry of Communities, with City Council playing an integral part. The facility had 24hrs security services under the Coalition Government. Now, this is left to the mercy of the vagrants, who are using it for dwelling, all the facets and installations that were there, have been vandalised.
Personally, I used the facility on a few occasions to do my routine exercise, but ceased going there, due to the state of the surroundings. Not healthy for socialisation.
It is sad to see what is happening to the facility, because of cheap politics, vindictiveness and wickedness, the PPP/C sees it fit to hurt Guyanese, who used the facility for recreational purposes.
Earlier this week, I visited the location and my heart wrenched to see the state of the facility, unkempt, members fallen apart and it seemed controlled by the homeless, since there is no security being provided at the location. The images below depicts the current state of the Durban Park Facility.
In August 2022, Bishop Edghill reported, “controversial Durban Park will not be left as an eye-sore and there are plans to modernise the facility.” Two years after, Guyanese are yet to see the modernised plan and still to hear when the facility will get an intervention. However, monies going here, there and everywhere, but NOT to this area. Beyond the facility, there has been a number of construction (Fire Station Headquarters, a structure is currently being constructed, areas demarcated for a Football Stadium, etc.).
Sectors will commence consultation for budget 2025, therefore, since the Opposition is being accused of not putting recommendations or suggestions forward, I am appealing to the Government to consider allocating monies for the upgrade of the Durban Park facility.
