Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
On November 26, 2018, Guyana's Protected Areas Commission submitted a grant funding application to the Chinese Government for the China-Guyana Friendship Joe Vieira Park Project. Then, in January 2020, the Government of Guyana and the Chinese Government signed a $10.6 million grant agreement for the China-Guyana Friendship Joe Vieira Park Project. The purpose of the project is to renovate the Joe Vieira (China-Guyana Friendship) Park at Schoonord, Meer Zorgen, West Bank Demerara Region #3. The space was donated to the regional Government of Guyana by businessman Joe Vieira and falls under the National Parks Commission. Through these renovations, the park is expected to be transformed into a modern recreation space. Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission and the National Parks Commission Jason Fraser said the aim of the project is to retain and improve the existing space while providing areas for sporting activities. Other planned features include a pond, canopies, a children’s activity center and picnic lawns. The central feature of the park design is a Guyana-China Friendship monument meant to commemorate the ongoing collaboration between Guyana and China. Qingjian Group Co. Ltd. (CNQC) is the contractor responsible for project implementation. On January 25, 2022, China's Economic and Commercial Counselor to Guyana, Hu Hanming, and Guyanese Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Jason Fraser, signed a project implementation agreement for the China-Guyana Friendship Joe Vieira Park Project. Construction, which was expected to involve 30 Guyanese workers, was originally scheduled to commence in July 2022 and reach completion within 20 months (March 2024). However, construction did not commence until January 2024.