The infrastructural changes in Region Two over the years

By Indrawattie Natram

WITHOUT a shadow of a doubt, residents and frequent visitors of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) would agree that over the past five decades, there has been an impressive transformation in the infrastructural landscape in the Cinderella County.

In the early 1960s, before Guyana gained its Independence, persons lived in thatched-roof houses. Now, the entire landscape of the region has changed in all areas. Due to necessary enhancements in infrastructure, the economy in the region has improved giving rise to more business activity.

In the northern section of the coast, there are approximately nine newly built modern supermarkets while in the south over five were constructed.

Gone are the days where potential homeowners had to travel outside the region to acquire housing materials. In the past, persons had to venture to the city of Georgetown to acquire these materials at a higher cost. But the region has since seen a tremendous transformation with many established hardware stores.

TRUE TRANSFORMATION
Taking Pepperpot Magazine down memory lane, Essequibo Historian, Ishahack Basir said that every house long ago had thatched roofs pasted with mud and made out of sticks or “wattles”. According to this learned historian, in the1980s, wooden buildings started to emerge while in 1990s concrete structures became popular.

The 84-year-old Basir said concrete construction commenced after the Tapakuma Irrigation Project was executed which provided proper drainage and irrigation for rice farmers. Basir said the rice industry was doing well, as such persons living along the coast could have purchased luxurious items.

Basir said residents began to construct concrete structures taking into consideration the longevity of the concrete which was more feasible to construct since it would have given them many years of occupation.
Basir explained that in the earlier years when the Indian ancestors arrived in Guyana they brought their own traditions and customs and though they brought the concept of “Logies” in the 80s, persons started to construct wooden houses.

Lumber, he said was a source from the majestic Pomeroon areas from the first sawmill, Picker Gill. which was then transported via boats to the coastlands. Basir said that in those days, “all houses looked alike” given the lack of ability to research other types of architecture. Today Basir is overwhelmed to see many ‘Essequibians’ owning and building their own homes with modern designs.

Measnwhile, 88-year-old Rajkumarie Prashad, reminisced on yesteryear when she was searching for mud in the backdams. Prashad has fond memories of housewives hustling in the back dams for “fresh” mud to dab the fireside and their house. She said those were the days when people were so proud living in “mud” house and persons slept peacefully.

She explained that today life is much more easy and comfortable compared to the old ages.
She explained that in the past persons had to walk miles to access drinking and potable water. Commenting on the housing sector, the pensioner said that in almost every village, the construction landscape has transformed

The residents of the region can confidently say that there have been developments in every sector, especially the construction industry,within the last 52 years. There is also a visible enthusiasm with the business community to explore new business ventures.