Barticians eagerly await township status –say it’s long overdue
Region Seven RDC Councillor Gifford Marshall
Region Seven RDC Councillor Gifford Marshall

RESIDENTS of Bartica are eagerly awaiting the status of a township, saying that it is long overdue.“It is a known fact that Bartica is a beautiful land with beautiful people; it is undoubtedly one of South America’s major tourist attractions and the gateway to some of the world’s most valuable natural resources – gold and diamond.
So it’s our belief that our township status will benefit Guyana – economically, politically and socially,” Gifford Marshall, one of the regional councillors, said during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle last Saturday.

According to Marshall, President David Granger ought to be applauded for recognizing the significant role Bartica continues to play in the economic development of the country.

President Granger, during his visit to Bartica in June, had announced that the mining community would gain township status by April 23, 2016 in keeping with an ordinance made by the British Government some 178 years ago.

“We applaud the President for the passion he has for Bartica. Based on information gathered, Mr. Granger is the first president to visit Bartica and passionately outline a developmental path for us (Bartica).”

Marshall said, “When he became president, he did not go to Linden or Mahdia; he came to Bartica first, on Father’s Day. This alone is of great inspiration to us. Somewhere in our hearts, we think that he wants to make Bartica the capital of Guyana.”

In supporting his “theory” that Bartica may one day become the leading town in the country, the Regional Councillor alluded to the recent call by the President for residents of Bartica to lead the country’s green evolution.

One of the promotional pieces that were done in keeping with President Granger’s call for Bartica to lead the way in the ‘Green Revolution’
One of the promotional pieces that were done in keeping with President Granger’s call for Bartica to lead the way in the ‘Green Revolution’

TOURISM CAPITAL
“He speaks of Bartica becoming the first ‘Green Town’ in Guyana, Bartica leading the country on his government plan of a ‘Green Economy’. He speaks of our airstrip becoming an international airport for investors in the Caribbean, the building of sport facilities and stadiums, the upgrade of our hospital and the list goes on. All of his initiatives can see Bartica becoming Guyana’s tourism capital well within five years,” Marshall opined.

He said while President Granger and his administration is moving ahead with their plans for the community, work on the ground is moving a little slowly, noting that residents and regional officials definitely need to play ‘catch-up’.

Nevertheless, he said that some residents have formed themselves in groups with the aim of enhancing their communities.

“I am presently working with a small group of youths with the express purpose of promoting Bartica as a tourism destination. We have just completed a few promotional materials and will very soon be releasing some ‘whopping’ promotional materials.”
However, while the race continues, he said there are a few hurdles which he intends to deal with at the upcoming Regional Democratic Council (RDC) statutory meeting set for October 21.

He explained that at the end of 2013 and early 2014, the gold industry was plunged into an economic crisis due to unfavorable gold prices. To date, Bartica is still feeling the impact. As such, he will be pushing for the RDC to urgently implement measures that will bring some relief to the community.

“The government did their part in outlining a series of measures in the Budget. We as community leaders now have to do our part,” he contended.
Another issue, he said, that needs to be addressed at the regional level is the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. Due to the lack of knowledge on the part of residents, Marshall announced his intention to move a motion at the level of the RDC to have a plan established for every resident in Region Seven, particularly schoolchildren to be educated on the border controversy.

“Education will be our weapon. It’s amazing, how little people know of the controversy. We support the government’s position in that this matter must be settled once and for all.”

Meanwhile, community activist Kamal Persaud is pushing for illegal vendors (street vendors) to clear the streets of Bartica. Having these illegitimate vendors operate along the main streets of Bartica is unfair, she said. “Legitimate shop owners are at a great disadvantage; they are losing sales and operating at a very high cost. It is unfair. Plus, they are a traffic hazard,” Persaud noted.

However, Persaud, who is known for protesting the quality of services that were offered at the Bartica Regional Hospital, said the new Regional Health Officer (RHO) is doing an exceptional job. Since his appointment as Public Health Minister, Dr. George Norton has said that the Bartica Regional Hospital will be upgraded starting with the installation of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

He had said too that the Maternity Ward would see major improvement, thereby removing the burden of having to transfer critically ill patients to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

By Svetlana Marshall

 

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