ROADS and bridges are two vital necessities that create a nexus between people and development. Societies that are mindful of the economic gains that could be accomplished from these two important links are therefore sparing no effort to ensure that these two basic facilities are maintained and kept in a state of readiness to corroborate the demands of the developmental thrust.
While roads and bridges render people easy access to the various parts of the country which is good in creating that vital link among all the people of this country, they also provide access to the agricultural sector which is one of the main pillars of this country’s economy.
The importance and dynamics of bridges and roads are felt more so in our agricultural sector, especially at a time when the world is reeling under increasing warnings of food shortages and growing prices.
In highly developed societies where agriculture is important, there are what are called feeder roads that provide easy ingress and egress to cultivation plots. But while the provision of these kinds of roads in the highly developed countries extends “good roads to farms” access, for us with smaller economies and technological skills, it is not so easy, and from time to time, especially during sowing and harvesting, more often than not, the situation presents a nightmare to our farmers, and severe losses and damage are incurred, especially when the feeder roads we have here are sometimes made impassable, especially when it rains.
However, it must be noted that since President Donald Ramotar took office, he wasted no time in visiting all sections and sectors in the country in valiant and expressed efforts to acquaint himself with the operations of various sectors, and to advise in what way his government could render assistance for accelerated growth and success.
In recent times, the Chief Executive has been very busy, relinquishing the comfort of his Presidential Office to make on-the-spot-visits to the Corentyne, Bartica and Lethem. These three visits are of extreme importance to the people of this country as they point the way forward for accelerated economic growth and better standards of living.
While on the Corentyne, President Ramotar paid attention to the construction of roads and bridges, and expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the works are being done. We note that these works are also ongoing in the Black Bush Polder which encompasses three Polders—Lesbeholden, Yakusari and Mibikuri. This area is rich and could be called the mecca of agricultural activities as the entire polder is agriculture and only agriculture as far as the eyes could see.
This once densely forested and swampy area which today provides the Guyanese people with rice, vegetables and fruits in abundance is the brainchild of late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, under whose watch as the country’s Premier, the scheme was established. So productive was this scheme then that it was referred to as the ‘food basket of the Caribbean’.
However this once ‘food basket’ which was the envy of the PNC, was soon targeted when that party came to power in 1964, and the once blooming Black Bush Polder and its people were abandoned by successive PNC governments, and dense forest returned to the area until 1992 when the PPP/C won the elections after 28 years.
Successive PPP/C governments quickly put mechanisms in place for the restoration of the glory of Black Bush Polder, and the farmers in the area are back on the land, toiling with the satisfaction of having the distinction of once again being embroiled in activities aimed at helping to feed the nation, and this, like farmers in other areas around the country, they are doing with a deep sense of dedication.
We are happy that President Ramotar’s visit to the area would see drastic improvements in the roads which would lead to faster transport to and from the fields with commodities for the markets on the Corentyne itself and in Georgetown also. Good roads are important especially since certain vegetables have to reach market places in a timely manner.
At the other extreme in Lethem, which borders neighbouring Brazil, President Ramotar met with the Rupununi Chamber and several issues pertaining to the further development of the area were discussed. This area is gaining economic ground, especially since the opening of the Takutu bridge which grants access to Brazil.
Already, businessmen from both sides have been crossing the bridge for the opening and deepening of trade links between the peoples of Brazil and Guyana. In this respect, people believe that Lethem and the entire roadway to Linden would be a hive of economic activities when that road would have been established.
Such a road would also be helpful to Amerindians in nearby villages to transport their commodities to market places. The Guyanese people cannot wait for this link to become a reality.