The government is set to install 53 additional fire hydrants and 90 CCTV cameras in Anna Regina, Region Two, as part of a major infrastructure and community upgrade programme under the Model Village Initiative.
The proposed developments were outlined during an engagement between President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and residents at the Anna Regina Secondary School on Monday.
The planned improvements are aimed at making Anna Regina safer, more accessible, environmentally sustainable and resilient, with upgrades targeting drainage, roads, pedestrian facilities, public spaces, utilities, lighting, fire safety and security.
According to the plans presented, Anna Regina currently has eight fire hydrants, with another 53 to be installed at strategic locations across the community.
The additional hydrants are expected to strengthen emergency preparedness and fire response while improving safety for residents, businesses and visitors and enhancing the community’s overall resilience.
The government is also proposing a major expansion of the community’s CCTV network. Anna Regina currently has three cameras, with 90 additional cameras planned for strategic locations to enhance public safety and help deter criminal activity.
Other proposed works include the construction and upgrading of roads and bridges, installation of utility poles and street lights, and the development of 5,565 metres of walkways and suitable road shoulders to improve pedestrian access.
The plan also provides for landscaping, tree planting, road demarcation and the creation of green spaces and parks. Some 4.7 acres have been identified for these purposes, with the spaces intended to support recreation, community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
The broader development package is also expected to address encumbrances along road reserves, drains and available public reserves, while improving access, functionality and the overall appearance of Anna Regina.
President Ali said the government wants residents to directly experience the benefits of national development within their communities.
“We want to invest in agro-processing; we want to invest in value creation. The region is already becoming a major supplier of tourism products, and we have to continue to build the tourism potential and tourism infrastructure for this region,” President Ali said.
He also pointed to opportunities to link sports and tourism, noting that improved recreational facilities could provide additional activities for both residents and visitors.
The Anna Regina engagement is part of the wider Model Village Initiative, which is intended to coordinate infrastructure and community development projects aimed at creating safer, more sustainable and resilient communities across Guyana.
