Plaisance to get new market, Lusignan set for major upgrade – Manickchand

Residents and vendors along the East Coast of Demerara are set to benefit from improved market facilities, with the Government moving ahead with plans for a brand new market at Plaisance and major upgrades to the existing Lusignan Market.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand made the announcement during the sod turning ceremony for the new Buxton Market, where she highlighted the government’s continued investment in community infrastructure across the country.

She said the East Coast Demerara corridor remains a priority, with works planned to improve access to cleaner, safer and more modern market spaces.

“Right here on the East Coast, you’re going to get a brand new Plaisance Market. You’re going to get an enhanced Lusignan Market and an enhanced Mon Repos Market,” Manickchand said.

The minister explained that the market projects are part of a broader programme to improve the quality of life in communities, alongside investments in roads, parks, street lighting and other public infrastructure.

“All over Guyana, development is happening because that is what we promised to make your lives better,” she said.

She said the government’s vision is to create communities where residents can safely access essential services and public amenities.

“You want to be able to walk in your neighbourhood safely in a park with street lights. You want to be able to walk down streets that are properly lit for our communities, and you want to be able to go in the market and buy fresh produce and meat and fish. That’s the kind of neighbourhood we are trying to build out,” Manickchand said.

The planned market developments are expected to improve conditions for vendors through better sanitation, enhanced food safety standards and more suitable spaces for selling agricultural produce, meat and seafood. They are also intended to provide shoppers with a cleaner, more convenient environment while supporting economic activity within East Coast communities. It also reinforces the government’s push for balanced national development.

Rosignol Market is being upgraded, Bath will receive a new market, and construction is progressing at Lethem, where the minister said she will conduct a site visit this weekend.

In Region Three, there will be markets at Zeelugt, Tuschen and Pouderoyen.

The projects form part of the government’s wider investment in local government infrastructure, which has seen increased spending on markets, roads, drainage networks and recreational facilities.