REVITALISATION OF GEORGETOWN

REVITALISATION OF GEORGETOWN

The GPP plans for Georgetown depict what really is needed to revitalize our capital city and restore it to what it was referred to famously – “The Garden City”.

Imagine a downtown Georgetown Revitalisation Project where areas like Water Street become vibrant again. Examples abound of international success stories where development of previously problematic or underutilized real estate did extraordinarily good for the economy. Think of taking a stroll along the banks of the Demerara River on a well manicured and lighted cycle and walking/jogging path from the Stabroek Market to let’s say Mc Doom, which is about 3.5 km (2 miles) away.

After 40 years of celebrating Republic status, we must ask ourselves what more can we do to make our capital city more attractive, what are the changes needed to improve the management of the City Council and what is the required action to be taken to establish value added industries in order to create higher paying jobs for the residents of Georgetown?

The GPPproposes in the case of Georgetown that the emphasis be shifted to public-private partnerships to stimulate economic growth and revitalization. The US-based international advocacy group, the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (NCPPP) identifies five critical components of any successful Public-Private Partnership (P3): (a) political leadership, (b) public sector involvement, (c) a well thought-out plan, communications with stakeholders and selecting the right partners. These elements can become the building blocks of a strategy for Georgetown P3 initiatives.

Much of the recent budget discussion and our continuing political tension and impasse make it clear that neither the current government nor our nascent civil society can truly effect change on their own. The guiding principle behind P3 initiatives is the imperative of working together.  The GPP is of the view that the “force multiplier” effect of teaming or building the right group of products or people to solve problems is critical for success in today’s global marketplace.

In an environment of struggling public services and deepening economic crises, it is time for the private sector working with a competent city council to reach out in positive ways to identify “building blocks” projects that will be fundamental to getting the Georgetown and Guyanese economy kicked into overdrive.  We need to factor in the Brazilian private sector into areas such as expanding our river port.