The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has waived the need for the US$10.6M Joe Vieira Park Project to undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It reasoned that the venture would not result in significant impacts to the environment.
In the notice published in the Chronicle newspapers on Sunday, the EPA stressed that this EIA waiver is not an approval of the project. Citizens now have 30 days to lodge their objections, if any, to the EPA’s decision.
According to the project summary on the EPA’s website, the Joe Vieira Park Project serves as part of the National Green State Development Strategy which focuses on the promotion of low carbon and resilient development. This ideal was also outlined in the Protected Areas Commission’s submission to utilize a Government of China grant aid on November 26, 2018.
In January, 2020, authorities from the two states signed an agreement for the China aid project under the name Guyana-China Friendship Joe Vieira Park.
The China aid funding for the project is approximately US$10.6M. The contractor identified for the project is the Qingjian Group Co. Ltd. (CNQC) which is scheduled to complete construction in approximately 18 months.
The project which is located in Meer Zorgen, West Bank Demerara has a total land area of 66,700 m2. It is expected to employ approximately 100 Chinese nationals and approximately 30 Guyanese workers.
The design of the park will include the following main areas : Chinese styled pavilions, a basketball court, football field, table tennis court, children’s activity center, open air theatre, landscaping works, water revetment etc.
