– promises to be bigger and better
THE third annual ‘Wakenaam Nite’, scheduled for July 31 was launched yesterday at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Minister of Tourism, industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, said the activity is an opportunity to attract investors. “Many people turn out in support of this event and we are hoping that we can encourage investments in the area by the private sector,” he said.
The introduction of the activity was meant to encourage Guyanese to visit other parts of the country, to bolster domestic tourism, and create and awareness of what Wakenaam has to offer. ‘Wakenaam Nite’ also serves as an expo of sorts.
“Every year we promote different activities across the country in an effort to create an awareness of the arts and craft and tourism prospects in an area…Wakenaam’s expo is now one of the Ministry’s calendar event,” Prashad recalled.
The minster added that the island, home to approximately 5,000 people, has seen major developments in the last few months, one of which is the airstrip project expected to be completed soon.
Prashad said the ‘Wakenaam Nite’ activity will contribute to other aspects of development on the island.
“This is an excellent example of public/private partnership,” he said.
The Tourism Minister observed that that this year’s activity is expected to be “bigger and better.”
“Last year was unique and this year I am told by the organizers that we can expect more…I am told that persons from overseas are already in Wakenaam,” he said.
Like last year the ‘Wakenaam Nite’ attractions include a pageant. The Tourism Minister also met with the eight delegates who will be contending for the Miss Wakenaam title.
Relative to the issue of accommodation, the minister said with assistance from the Ministry, there will be no problems with accommodation.
He added that the Ministry is facilitating training for Wakenaam residents to operate Bed and Breakfasts operations.
He added that the Ministry will be supporting and supervising, to some extent, these operations.“We want to have things done in an organized manner,” he added.
With respect to accommodation the minister reiterated the need to encourage investment saying that the island needs a small hotel.“This is a challenge I will be throwing out this year,” Prashad said.
He indicated that interest in the establishment of a hotel has been expressed by an overseas based party.
Prashad also assured that the Guyana Police Force will be involved in addressing any security issues that may arise.
However, he maintained that Wakenaam is not known for having problems with security.
Model
Prashad expressed the hope that other communities, particularly Leguan, will use ‘Wakenaam Nite’ as a model to advance development in their localities.
“We want new groups to come up with suggestions and ideas and the Ministry will support the promotion of local products,” he said.
The minister said moves to showcase the local happenings are significant. “We are hoping to partner with communities to make such activities a success,” he declared.
Additionally, he made it clear that the scheduled date for ‘Wakenaam Nite’ has been deliberate since it is just before August Monday.
August Monday, while not a public holiday, has long since been a day that communities in the Essequibo treat as a holiday.
As per tradition scores of people gather in Tiger Island’s Hamburg Beach, a short distance from Wakenaam.
Chairman of Wakenaam Night Management Committee, Mr. Shiek Ahmad, said the package this year is different and suitable for the family. “The Committee has tremendous corporate support from in and out of Guyana…Wakenaam Nite will see changes in our community,” he said.
One of the major changes was the establishment of the Wakenaam Community Ground and Pavilion which was built from self help and proceeds from the first ‘Wakenaam Nite’.
The pavilion was commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this year and the land was given to the community free of cost by the government and the public spiritedness of the island’s residents made the pavilion a possibility.
Ahmad said that, prior to the construction of the pavilion the community were aimless and in need of a recreational facility.
The Committee Chairman said the proceeds from the first ‘Wakenaam Nite’ totalled in excess of $1M and the committee commenced construction of the pavilion in September of 2008.
He added that a second successful ‘Wakenaam Nite’ in 2009 saw the pavilion’s completion which cost costs an approximate $6M.
This venture, he said, was also supported by funds generated from corporate bodies and the Diaspora, with assistance provided by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
Apart from the pavilion, Treasurer on the Committee, Mr. Mustaq Mohamed, said the proceeds of ‘Wakenaam Nite’ 2010 will go towards fencing the pavilion and upgrading the facility.
According to him other areas that have been supported include: development of recreational facilities at a nursery school in Arthurville, a village in Wakenaam; medical outreaches in partnership with the Ministry of Health; and feeding programmes for persons who are shut-in.
“A better community is what we want,” he said.
Wakenaam is an island of about 17.5 square miles at the mouth of the Essequibo River, Region Three (Essequibo Islands /West Demerara).  It was settled at one time by the Dutch in the 18th Century; the name Wakenaam is Dutch meaning “waiting for a name”. The island, like most other islands in the Essequibo River in Guyana, is characterized by beautiful green vegetation, blue skies and cool breeze from the Atlantic.
Its economy is based on agriculture and its major crops are rice, coconuts and various vegetables and ground provisions. This is mainly sold off the  island.
Wakenaam has multiple villages which include Maria’s Pleasure, Good Success, Sans Souci, Melville, Belle Plaine, Sarah, Zeelandia, Friendship, Bank Hall, Meerzorg, Caledonia, Free and Easy, Arthurville, Palmyra, Maria Johanna, Domburg, Fredericksburg, Noitgedacht, Rush Brook and Ridge.