FROM where Guyana, Brazil and Venezuela meet, stretching eastward and to the north, is the second largest administrative region of Guyana, encompassing 47,213 km², and probably the richest in natural resources.With Mount Roraima at 2,810 metres high standing at the tri-juncture, one can only guess the amount of the region’s gold deposits. One gold mining company, Guyana Goldfields Inc. believes it can extract 3.29 million ounces of gold over the next 17 years.

Forested lands with some of the most sought after species blanket the area. Rivers of fresh water form intricate patterns and often cascade over rocks into breathtaking waterfalls. The Region’s natural wealth can only be rivalled by the resourcefulness of its people. This is Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and it is here that Guyana’s first ‘Green Town’ would be established.

It is the vision of the government to transform Region 7 into a model for sustainable development. The plan will see the administrative centre, Bartica, achieving the status of township and being used as a model ‘Green Town.’

As the vision unfolds, the Bartica Stelling will be transformed into a modern docking facility with attractions for tourists. A state-of-the-art mall to cater for visitors’ souvenirs will be built.

Food is an essential aspect for any visitor; as such there would be a restaurant and a bar complete with seating facilities that overlook the Essequibo River. The ambience and atmosphere that the improved stelling with its facility will provide would be the ideal place for tourists and persons to stop and enjoy the natural beauty of the Essequibo River.

GREEN TOWN

The new Bartica will employ the use of renewable energy sources to power the entire community and in this regard, feasibility studies will be done for a large hydropower development in the Mazaruni, in partnership with Brazil. Tumatumari will benefit from a small hydro system as well.
With the option of solar energy, persons will remain connected to a local grid with their homes outfitted with solar panels. During the day residents will self-generate energy for daily activities and at nights they will use electricity from the grid.

In keeping with President David Granger’s vision of making Bartica the first green town, plans are well underway as pre-feasibility studies commenced with technical teams examining the region, to assess the energy needs.

INFRASTRUCTURAL UPGRADE

Infrastructural development plays an important part in development; hence focus will be on bettering the town’s facilities. Persons would be able to enter Bartica by road, using the Parika-Goshen road link that is currently being upgraded and a bridge over the Essequibo River will further aid accessibility into Bartica.

The government’s mobile asphalt plant will support the upgrade of all the internal and existing road networks to double bituminous treatment surface (DBST) standard. The Bartica-Potaro Road, Agatash, and Byderabo Front, are targeted while roads at Track X; Caribese Hill North and Mora will be completed.

A $6M allocation will ensure the construction of a new bridge at Wax Creek, Upper Mazaruni; while the sea defence at Byderabo will be fortified.

TOURISM

Already, tourists have begun to take advantage of the flora, fauna and overall bountiful beauty of the region. Bartica is now a major attraction for yachters who dock their vessels in the Essequibo River.

The transformation of the community is not limited to only infrastructural work or provision of electricity; it entails that every sector within the region will benefit from massive upgrades, thereby significantly boosting the level and quality of services that residents can abundantly enjoy.

QUALITY OF HEALTH SERVICES

Towns are attractions for visitors and another key area that has to be addressed is health. The intention is to offer a wider range of medical services so fewer patients would be referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital; hence the Bartica Hospital will be extended and rehabilitated while Imbaimadai will get doctors’ quarters. Upgrade to facilities would provide for specialist doctors.

Budget 2015 provides allocations that will be used to acquire much-needed medical equipment that will ultimately enhance the quality of services now being offered.

Hospitals in other communities within the region are also slated for upgrades. Kamarang District Hospital’s operating theatre will see some improvement, while other health care facilities will be boosted as both nurses and doctors’ quarters will be enhanced.

This will enable the most populous villages to have resident doctors and nurses. By the end of October 2015, eight resident doctors will be sent to the region.

BETTERING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Recognising the importance that education plays for a developing nation such as Guyana, significant sums of money have been allocated for the sector for the execution of special projects that are aimed at boosting the efficacy of primary and nursery education.

Living quarters for teachers and students will be constructed, rehabilitated and expanded, because of the remoteness of the region; also, emoluments will be offered for personnel, as it is difficult to find teachers who will readily accept postings in such areas.

The region has three secondary schools, namely Waramadong Secondary – located in the Upper Mazaruni; Bartica Secondary; and Three Mile Secondary; there are also a number of primary and nursery schools.

Recognising the gaps existing between nursery and primary, and primary and secondary schools, the administration recently launched a US$1.7M Early Childhood Project at St. Anthony’s Primary.

The project, funded by the World Bank aims at improving children’s literacy and numeracy ability at the nursery level up to primary grade one in all hinterland regions, especially riverine areas. This programme plans to also focus on parents, teachers and students.

With this initiative along with other investments that will be made to the education sector, it is hoped that significant improvement will be seen in the National Grade Six Assessment, the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) or the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results.
For 2015 more than $100M will be spent across the region on the education sector. Of this amount, $72.244M will be spent to construct and extend schools and living quarters along with the completion of the Chinowieng and Kartabo Primary Schools; the extension of Agatash Primary School and the construction of living quarters at Waramadong Secondary school.
Further, $15.6M will be spent to improve the facilities and accommodation by outfitting same with the necessary equipment needed and $4.5M will be spent to improve transportation to the sector with the procurement of a boat complete with outboard engine and an All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV).

The administration’s thrust to transform and beautify the country will not end with Region 7. Whilst it will be used as a model for development, other regions such as Regions 1, 8 and 9 are also being eyed for such transformation.