Skills training centre, jobs and safer streets for Tiger Bay

Residents of Tiger Bay in Georgetown will soon benefit from new training, recreation, and employment opportunities as the government rolls out a series of community projects designed to revitalise the capital and transform it into a cleaner, safer, and more secure city.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced the initiatives on Sunday during an on-the-ground engagement with residents of the community.

One of the key announcements was the establishment of a new training centre dedicated to developing the skills of young people in Tiger Bay and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The centre will offer practical training in collaboration with Nations Incorporated, a private educational institution in Guyana that provides a wide range of academic and professional courses from the K–12 level through to master’s degrees. It is one of the leading private education providers in the country.

The facility will be established within two historic buildings – the City Constabulary and the Georgetown Municipal Abattoir.

“Mr Mattai today, has given us the use of three plots of land that he bought… and we are going to immediately, next week, start in converting that plot of land into a football and basketball facility with nightlights,” the president announced.

In the housing sector, residents who received housing lots but have not yet begun building will now receive direct government support.

President Ali assured residents that Minister of Housing Collin Croal will lead these initiatives, helping them connect with banks and supporting them through the process.

Under a community warden programme, 30 businesses within the Tiger Bay area have agreed to employ residents. Each business will hire at least one person to assist with safety, cleanliness, and monitoring of public spaces as the government advances its transformation plans for the community.

“The government is going to put all the infrastructure in place. We’re going to buy the trucks, the bikes to go around to ensure the place is safe. We want people to feel safe,” President Ali underscored.

The government is also strengthening community policing by improving coordination between residents and law enforcement. Meanwhile, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, a special programme will be rolled out for women, children, and youth in the community.

Sunday’s engagement forms part of a broader vision to transform Georgetown into a green city, where families can be safe, secure, and socially empowered. Tiger Bay, a community once considered at-risk, is now on track to become one of Georgetown’s first ‘model neighbourhoods’.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand, Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning Keoma Griffith, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs, Minister of Housing Collin Croal, and technical officials were also present at Sunday’s walkabout. (DPI)