Model villages must bring prosperity home — Jermaine Figueira — Opinion

Model villages must bring prosperity home

August 14, 2026·2 min read

Dear Editor,

They are some leaders who articulate ideas and vision, some who inspire others to dream big.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali is not just a visionary leader; he acts on his vision and ideas to bring them into reality.

He gets the job done.

One such vision is President Ali’s Model Village Initiative^[1].

This visionary project represents much more than another infrastructure programme. It is an important attempt to redefine community development in Guyana, by recognising that national prosperity has its greatest meaning when citizens can experience it within the communities where they live.

The President captured this philosophy powerfully when he declared that “national prosperity must translate into community prosperity.” That principle should become one of the defining standards by which Guyana’s present transformation is measured.

What makes the Model Village concept particularly significant is its integrated approach. It brings together improved roads and drainage, walkways, street lighting, landscaping, security and CCTV systems, recreational facilities, proper zoning, commercial opportunities, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and other community services. In other words, the objective is not simply to beautify villages but to make them safer, cleaner, more productive, economically viable, and better places to raise families. It raises living standards and improves overall quality of life for all its inhabitants.

Equally important is the President’s emphasis on “devolution”, taking Government services and economic opportunities directly into communities. This is critical because development should not require people constantly to leave their villages in search of opportunity. Wherever practical, investment, employment, entrepreneurship, and services should increasingly be brought closer to them.

President Ali’s previous experience as Minister of Housing is particularly relevant. Housing development teaches us that allocating a house-lot or constructing a house is only the beginning. Sustainable communities require roads, drainage, water, electricity, security, recreation, businesses, employment, and social infrastructure. His understanding of housing, combined with his emphasis on agriculture and local economic development, is clearly reflected in this broader vision.

The consultation with residents is equally commendable, providing transparency and accountability. Communities must not simply be recipients of development; they should be participants in determining what development means for them. The people know their drainage problems, security concerns, infrastructure deficiencies, and economic needs better than anyone else.

The importance of this initiative therefore extends beyond the first 23 villages. When successfully implemented, these communities can provide a model that can be adapted and expanded throughout Guyana.

That is why implementation will now be critical. Plans must become projects, consultations must produce measurable results, and communities must remain involved throughout the process.

President Ali deserves commendation for personally championing an initiative that seeks to connect Guyana’s national transformation with the everyday lives of its citizens.

Ultimately, billions in national development will mean little if prosperity does not reach our streets, homes, families and villages.

National prosperity must become community prosperity.

The Model Village Initiative provides Guyana with an important opportunity to make that principle visible, tangible and lasting.

Yours respectfully,
Jermaine Figueira
Former Member of
Parliament

References

Model Village: “We’re here to listen to you” – Pres Ali launches nationwide initiative to transform communities - Guyana Times — guyanatimesgy.com ↩

Model Village: “We’re here to listen to you” – Pres Ali launches nationwide initiative to transform communities - Guyana Times

guyanatimesgy.com · 2026-08-04

Model Village: “We’re here to listen to you” – Pres Ali launches nationwide initiative to transform communities - Guyana Times ... # Model Village: “We’re here to listen to you” – Pres Ali launches nationwide initiative to transform communities August 4, 2026 #### President Dr Irfaan Ali on Monday launched a Model Village initiative aimed at transforming communities countrywide into modern, economically vibrant and socially connected spaces where citizens can live, work, and thrive. The initiative was launched with consultation sessions across several communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), where the President and his team unveiled renderings of how each village will be transformed under this new venture. The first engagement was held at Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), where President Ali explained that the initiative will “eventually touch every single village in our country”. He added that it is more than the infrastructural improvements. According to President Ali, the Model Village initiative will be centred on four key pillars: connectivity, community, commerce and care. ... #### Development President Ali emphasised that the village remains central to people and in order to ensure citizens’ quality of lives improve, the Government cannot ignore the development of the communities. “If we are serious about giving our people a quality life, we cannot ignore the development of the places where most of our people live. This is where people spend most of their time. This is where they raise their children. This is where families are formed. This is where people worship, work, socialise, grow old and ultimately build their lives. We want villages where faith is established through practice. We want the temples, the mosque, and the churches to be filled once more. Filled with children, young people, so that we can cultivate the type of values that will really take our country forward. Therefore, if development does not reach the level of the village, then development has not fully reached the people,” the Head of State reasoned. President Ali emphasised that it is important that villages do not just become places where citizens go to sleep. “We have to foster the wholesome development of our villages, and that is why we are here. The Model Village is not simply a village with newly paved roads. It is not simply villages with streetlights. It is not simply a village with a playground. Those things matter, but they’re only part of the picture. A Model Village should be a place where people can live well, work, learn, raise families, recreate, worship, build businesses, access essential services, have a great sense of security, a sense of belonging, have peace of mind, and feel that they belong,” he posited. The Model Village initiative is being spearheaded by the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry alongside the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Agriculture. Public consultations on the initiative will continue throughout the week across various communities. President Ali explained that the initiative is not designed to create identical communities, noting that each village’s history, traditions and economic strengths will be preserved. As such, he noted that the consultations will allow residents to identify priority areas, including roads, drainage, lighting, recreational facilities, commercial zones and other community needs. President Ali said residents’ participation will be central to shaping the future of their communities. “We’re here to listen to you. You know where the roads are needed. You know where the drainage problems are. You know where the children play. You know where the businesses are… Tell us what works. Tell us what does not work. Tell us what should be preserved.”

Source

Model villages must bring prosperity home in Guyana Times, August 14, 2026