Culture Ministry gets $2M paint pledge for Indian Arrival Monument
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Charles Ramson Jr., says plans are advancing to transform the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra into an enhanced public park.
This step, he said, follows discussions with President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali about turning the site into a more family-friendly space.
“Following my visit here about eight weeks ago, there have been discussions about what can be done here and so the President along with the Cabinet, decided to turn this space into a more enhanced public space where families and children can come,” Minister Ramson told DPI today, during an outreach in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six).
The private sector has already thrown its support behind the initiative with Continental Group of Companies, under Torginol Paints Incorporated, pledging to donate a quantity of paint valued $2 million.
The Minister said the enhancement plans will see playground equipment and WiFi infrastructure installed to provide free internet access to the public. More seating areas will also be provided and the visitors’ gallery will also be used for cultural activities.
“It will be managed in a way which the public will have far more access and usage for it and so in the next few months to come, we will be executing the programme so that we get everything I have mentioned completed so that the people in Berbice can get access to better facilities and this is the first of many,” he said.
Minister Ramson said the Government hopes to see much more support to foster community and youth development in the country.
Commissioned in 2019, the $160 million monument features six bronze statues donated by the Government of India to Guyana in 2017.