VICE-CHAIRMAN of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Vishnu Samaroo announced yesterday that Government has awarded a $20M contract for the rehabilitation of drainage canals in the David James Scheme, Jacklow, St. John and Akawini along  Pomeroon River. Speaking at the March statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), he said officers of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) visited the identified areas, recently, to get a first hand look at the clogged waterways.
Samaroo told councillors that the excavation of the heavily silted canals will facilitate drainage for hundreds of acres of fertile farm lands and open the way for farmers to expand other crops cultivation and boost the national ‘Grow more Food’ drive.
Several farmers in David James Scheme had abandoned their cultivations because of constant flooding caused mainly by drainage problems, but an announcement yesterday stimulated interest in their return to resume farming, thanks to the Government.
Essequibians in Phagwah celebrations Sunday, Monday
PHAGWAH was celebrated in an atmosphere of joy, laughter and love on the Essequibo Coast last Sunday.
Hindus and non-Hindus greeted each other with buckets of water early that morning as chowtaal goles from various mandirs sang Holi songs along the public road amidst water, powder and abeer greetings.
The festival celebrations began on Saturday night, with the burning of the symbolic holika in many villages.
Chairman of Essequibo Coast Praant of Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Mr. Doodnauth Singh said Phagwah was also celebrated in Pomeroon River mandirs.
He said the significance of the festival is the triumph of good over evil. Evil in the form of Holika and Hiranyakashapu was destroyed and goodness, represented by Bhagwaan Vishnu and Prahalaad, was successful.
Singh said: “For us, evil is a form of anger, hate, ill will, greed, jealousy and other negative thoughts, words and behaviour, which has to be destroyed and replaced with peace, love, humility, politeness, good thoughts, words and conduct, in service to mankind.
He explained that the burning of the symbolic Holika, on the eve of Phagwah, beckons people to destroy the negatives within and substitute positives which Phagwah or Holi signifies.
The Essequibo Coast Praant, in partnership with Republic Bank and Shri Parmal Singh and family, of New York, staged their annual Phagwah mela at Anna Regina Community Centre Ground on Monday.
The venue was filled as Hindus and non-Hindus gathered in their hundreds to celebrate the festival of colours with powder and abeer.
The programme included songs, dances and chowtaal singing, with bhojan (food) served free of cost to all in attendance.