Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Honourable Priya Manickchand, visited the Kitty Market to assess the progress of the long-awaited rehabilitation project. During her visit she engaged vendors and key stakeholders on the way forward.

The visit comes as works on the market continue following delays, most recently associated with the installation of electricity infrastructure. During the engagement, the Minister met with representatives of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL), market officials and vendors to discuss outstanding matters and to require them to provide updates on the project’s progress. The Minsiter expressed her deep disappointment with the lengthy period of closure of the market and the failure to clean and sanitize the market and expressed that this cannot continue. Vendors agreed. Residents agreed.

The Kitty Market, one of Georgetown’s oldest municipal markets, has served the surrounding community for generations. Rehabilitation works first commenced in 2016 under the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) but experienced repeated delays over the years, leaving vendors awaiting completion of the facility. The project has since become a longstanding concern for both traders and residents, many of whom have been unable to fully utilise the market while works remained incomplete.

Representatives from GPL explained that while electrical works experienced setbacks due to insufficient infrastructure, significant progress has since been made. A transformer has now been installed and utility poles erected, allowing GPL to proceed with the remaining works. The remaining electrical connections are expected to be completed within a few weeks.

Representing GPL, Kesh Nandlall noted that each market stall will have its own prepaid meters allocated. He explained that once the necessary applications have been submitted, the installation of the meters can commence.

During a walk-through of the market and surrounding areas, Minister Manickchand listened to concerns raised by vendors regarding the pace of the project, cleanliness, stall security, and the allocation of stalls upon completion.

Additionally, the Minister assured vendors that the allocation process will be conducted fairly and transparently.

Sherlock Lovell, Clerk of Markets, met with the Minister during the visit as discussions focused on addressing vendors’ concerns and ensuring the rehabilitation delivers a modern, secure, and functional market for the benefit of traders and the wider community.

The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, remains committed to modernising markets across the country and creating safe, accessible, and economically vibrant spaces that support vendors, strengthen local commerce, and improve the quality of life for communities.

(MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PRESS RELEASE)