…Minister Prashad checks out preparations
PREPARATIONS are well underway for the much-anticipated ‘Main Big Lime’ 2010 slated for Boxing Day (December 26, 2010). Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, along with his ministry’s Coordinator of National and Other Events, Mr. Avalon Jagnandan and Administrator of the National Exhibition Centre, Mr. Ohene Koama, held a walk-about on Main Street, Georgetown, yesterday afternoon with members of the media who were updated on preparations for this mega event.

Minister Prashad said the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has a well organised plan to provide adequate security for this year’s ‘Main Big Lime’. He said officers from the City Constabulary Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) would be on hand to lend support to the GPF so as to ensure tighter security.

Prashad said the event will be held on the planned date and that inclement weather poses no threat to the lime.

“We’re looking forward to a huge and much brighter event this year,” the minister said, as he drew attention to the many persons who visit Guyana to be a part of the lime. He said persons from various parts of the Caribbean and North America usually arrive in the country at this time to meet up with their friends and family.

Prashad said the lime is not a craft exhibition but more of a party and hence itinerant vendors would be controlled by the relevant authority. However, he said booths will be set up on both sides of Main Street in a way that would allow for a good flow of traffic.

He said the event, which usually sees approximately 30,000 persons, would kick off at 14:00 hrs (2 pm) and run until 23:00 hrs (11 pm). In addition, lots of games for children are slated to be on.
According to the minister, many businesses have pledged their support to the lime and will be responsible for lighting up the trees along the avenue.

There will be no shortage of music, he said, as sets would be strategically placed from Church Street all the way down to Lamaha Street. Gospel music is also on the cards as well.

To facilitate visitors from overseas, Prashad said Delta Airlines in Guyana promises to have a daily flight beginning December 16 and customers travelling to or from the United States of America will pay US$200 less for a flight that usually costs US$820.

According to him, Delta Airlines usually have three flights per week during the low season but from December 16, there will be a Delta flight everyday until further notice.
He pointed out that in 2009, there was a nine percent increase over 2008 in the country’s arrivals figure and by October last, there was already a seven percent increase over last year. The figure will no doubt increase by December, he stipulated.