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The D’Urban Park Development Project, long a symbol of grand promise and political controversy, is once again under the spotlight as the PPP/C government in 2025 pledges to rehabilitate the neglected facility while confronting the legacy of unaccounted public funds.
Built during the APNU+AFC administration at a declared cost of roughly GYD 1 billion, D’Urban Park was touted as a major national stadium and public gathering space. However, from its inception the project was mired in secrecy, poor planning, and repeated allegations of corruption. According to government disclosures and audits, an estimated GYD 600 million paid to contractors remains unaccounted for, with no transparent documentation ever submitted to the Audit Office to justify the expenditure (Guyana Standard, May 8, 2025).
In addition to these missing funds, approximately GYD 500 million in state resources was reportedly used to pay off debts incurred by a special-purpose company set up to manage the project. That company operated with limited public oversight, further fueling suspicions about the flow of taxpayer money. Critics argue this structure was deliberately opaque, enabling inflated invoices, sole-sourced contracts, and payments to politically connected individuals without adequate scrutiny (Guyana Standard, May 8, 2025).
The new PPP/C administration has committed to a phased rehabilitation of D’Urban Park. Government ministers have acknowledged its deteriorated condition and the waste it represents if left abandoned, arguing that it must finally serve the public good. But even as plans to restore the facility take shape, opposition MPs, civil society groups, and anti-corruption advocates continue to demand accountability for the billions already spent with little to show (Guyana Standard, May 8, 2025).
Calls have mounted for a thorough forensic audit to trace the flow of funds and identify the individuals or companies responsible for the missing GYD 600 million. The Public Accounts Committee has also been urged to review the project’s financing arrangements in detail. Observers note that without genuine accountability, any new investment risks repeating past mistakes and rewarding the same flawed procurement culture.
Ultimately, the D’Urban Park scandal stands as a stark warning about the consequences of unmonitored spending, politicized contracting, and weak institutional oversight. As the PPP/C moves to rehabilitate the site, many argue that restoring public trust requires more than physical repairs—it demands transparent accounting and consequences for those who misused public money.
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D’Urban Park Scandal: Calls for Accountability Over Missing GYD 600 Million
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