HAVING missed the April month-end deadline for its completion, the historic Umana Yana is now slated for completion next week.Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock made this disclosure in speaking to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.

He noted there was a delay in the arrival of some materials that are necessary for completion of the rebuilding of the historic structure, which had been destroyed by fire on September 9, 2014.

And although the materials have arrived during the rainy season, Minister Allicock is confident the conical-shaped structure will be completed by next week.

He explained that the walls will be completed within a matter of days, while the wiring and electrical work will be done simultaneously by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

The design for the interior has already been agreed upon, and that is also expected to be completed within that timeframe.

The building is expected to host events for Guyana’s 50th Jubilee Celebrations.

The foundation and floor of the new Umana Yana were completed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure last year. Expertise from this ministry will also be sought to explore the option of having the structure exclusively powered by solar-generated electricity. This, the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs had said, was in keeping with the energy agenda of his Ministry, which remains committed to the utilization of the sun and water as sources of energy.

The Indigenous Affairs Ministry was responsible for the architectural design of the benab through the Wai Wais, with the guidance of local Toshao Paul Chikema. The project was estimated to have cost over $60M, with the Wai Wais, who were responsible for rebuilding the structure, receiving $30.5M in total payment.

Constructed by the Wai Wais in 1972, the 55-foot Umana Yana had been a conical, palm-thatched hut (benab) erected as a VIP lounge and recreation centre for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Guyana in August of that year. The landmark structure served as the venue for a number of historical and cultural events for over four decades. In December last year, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister at the time, Dr Frank Anthony, announced that the PPP/C government would have pumped $50 million into the 2015 budget for reconstruction of the Umana Yana, which he had said would be housed at a different location.

Indigenous buildings are known for their coolness in the tropical heat, because of the natural materials used, especially the thatched roof. The old Umana Yana was a much admired part of Georgetown’s scenery, and was constantly used as an exhibition and conference centre. The 55-foot-high structure was made from thatched allibanna and manicole palm leaves, and wallaba posts lashed together with mukru, turu and nibbi vines. The original structure was put up in just 80 days. (Ravin Singh)