“We have to do something about our city” – Pres. Ali unveils plan to ‘rescue’ Georgetown
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced an aggressive city-revival push for Georgetown, pledging to “take charge” of the capital’s renewal through a package of heritage, waterfront, housing and public-space upgrades anchored in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.
At his first press conference since the September 1 General and Regional Elections, the President announced that the government is accelerating an urban development programme that pairs ongoing big-ticket infrastructure projects with a service-oriented overhaul of how the state delivers services to citizens and businesses.
“We have to do something about our city… the mismanagement and inefficiency through which the city is managed can no longer be tolerated,” Dr. Ali said. “It is time for us as citizens and as a country to take charge of this situation, and I want to launch… the rescue of Georgetown.”
Dr. Ali framed the city plan within a wider national agenda to boost competitiveness by improving government efficiency, reliability and cost of doing business.
“The removal of bureaucracy” and faster, more predictable services are central to the plan, he said.
Backed by technical support from the King’s Foundation, the administration will roll out 15 demonstration projects aimed at preserving Georgetown’s character while facilitating sustainable growth.
Priorities include new and upgraded parks and plazas, the preservation and enhancement of landmark buildings and districts, integrating green corridors, celebrating native flora and fauna, and citywide programmes on civic pride, waste management, and maintenance.
“The urban framework plan identifies five essential qualities that define a city’s identity,” Ali noted, highlighting the goal to restore Georgetown’s reputation as a “garden city” known for landscape and biodiversity.
“We are going to work aggressively on ensuring that this identity is recreated, expanded, and that our city tells a story of this identity.”
