$66M cleared for new-look Umana Yana –sod turned to start reconstruction
Representatives of the indigenous community turn the sod as the four ministers of government and others look on (Photos by Asdrian Narine)
Representatives of the indigenous community turn the sod as the four ministers of government and others look on (Photos by Asdrian Narine)

THE Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs (MoIPA) yesterday joined with key representatives of the Indigenous People’s community for the official turning of the sod for the reconstruction of the Umana Yana, a landmark national monument which went up in flames on September 9, 2013. It was significant that yesterday’s exercise, hosted by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe was conducted on the final day of Amerindian Heritage month (observed in September), but it was also ruined by an electrical fire on September 9, 2013.

Youths of St. Cuthbert’s Mission entertain the audience
Youths of St. Cuthbert’s Mission entertain the audience

Among the distinguished invitees were designer of the plan, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who is also Minister of Education; Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson; Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes; Jean La Rose of the Amerindian People’s Association; Miss Indian Heritage Queen Sherico Ambrose; Isaiah Chappelle of NCN; Toshao Joel Fredericks; Master Builder Colin Issacs; and Paul Chekema and his team who travelled some 800 miles from Region 9 to be present for the ceremony.
Emcee Anil Roberts rendered an opening prayer in which he asked the Lord’s blessings and guidance on the project soon to commence and for making it a reality for the indigenous peoples of this country.
Meanwhile, in her brief remarks and overview of the project, Minister Garrido-Lowe recalled that it was an historic day in 1972 when the Umana Yana, towering 55 ft above ground, was built by the highly skilled Wai-Wais, and incredibly without using nails. It was initially intended for visiting foreign delegations and a conference hall, she said.
Expressing pleasure at the imminent rebuilding of what she termed the “majestic Umana Yana”, she said it would once again “grace our city of Georgetown and be a timely reminder to all that the nine indigenous nations [tribes] are Guyana’s first peoples. That we are highly skilled in building; that we know nature well; and that we connect with nature.”
Garrido-Lowe thanked Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson who included the expenditure in his budget and succeeded in having it passed; Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine for designing the structure; the Wai-Wais who will construct the new Umana Yana, ably supported by the people of Moraikobai and the people of St. Cuthbert’s Mission.

 From left are Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine; Minister Kathy Hughes; Ministers David Patterson and Valerie Garrido-Lowe
From left are Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine; Minister Kathy Hughes; Ministers David Patterson and Valerie Garrido-Lowe

Concurring with Garrido-Lowe that the Umana Yana was indeed a ‘magnificent edifice’, Minister Patterson said it was a tremendous honour, on behalf of his ministry, to be associated with the reconstruction of the building that was burnt down over a year ago. He thanked everyone concerned for giving the ministry a chance to be involved with the project.
Patterson said that the project is budgeted to cost $66.7M, and will be done jointly between the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the indigenous brothers and sisters. His ministry will be doing the foundation which will be raised about 12 inches above the previous height to resist any possible flooding in the face of climate change and $9.2 million will be tendered out for the foundation, while $6M will be allocated for fire prevention systems to be put in place.
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is bent on avoiding any mistakes made in the past, which might have been responsible for the fire of 2013. To this end, $6M will be allocated for fire-prevention systems to be installed, while another $16M will be allocated for an alternative energy source – solar panels to light and power the edifice.
The ministry has committed to lend all the technical and logistic support needed.
Patterson said it is anticipated that the construction of the edifice should take about six months. Calls for tenders for the building of the foundation should be out by October 7 and will run for about two to three weeks, said engineer Keeraj Bisessar.

A section of the gathering at the turning of the sod to commission the rebuilding of the Umana Yana
A section of the gathering at the turning of the sod to commission the rebuilding of the Umana Yana

In the interim, the villages of Moraikobai and St. Cuthbert will be gathering the troolie leaves to thatch the building with Wai-Wai labour. Master Builder is Mr. Colin Isaacs.
The ministry anticipates that construction will be completed well in time for the nation’s 50th Independence anniversary, which will be a premier event.
Minister Hughes, dwelling on the painful loss of the facility, recalled over the years taking visitors to Guyana on tours around the city of Georgetown and invariably ending with a visit to the majestic Umana Yana. Against this background she remarked: “Today is a celebration that we are going to put back a very, very important landmark in our city, and it is important that it goes up and it is rebuilt in the same manner and by the same experts from our indigenous communities.
“But most importantly that it stands not only as a national symbol, but as a symbol of our indigenous heritage, and I think all Guyanese identify with that,” Hughes concluded.
Guests were treated to a regaling segment of Amerindian dance by a dance troupe from St. Cuthbert’s Mission.

By Shirley Thomas

 

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