PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar is no stranger to  Wakenaam Island in the Essequibo River; but on August 25th, a ceremonial welcome was accorded him when he made his first appearance on the Region 3 island as the country’s Head of State. Tassa drumming and dancing greeted the President and his entourage at the   landing minutes before the commencement of the highly anticipated  5th annual Wakenaam Nite on the island’s community centre ground.
Accompanying the President were Acting Minister of Tourism, Irfaan Ali; Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn; and Private Sector Commission member, Jerry Gouveia; all of whom were garlanded by children as is the custom.
Having frequented Wakenaam on several occasions in his earlier years, travelling from Karia Karia, the village of his birth, President Ramotar is well acquainted with people and places on the island.
“Wakenaam has always been close to us… and for us in Karia Karia, at the time I lived there, it was one of the main centres from which we got our supplies; so in a way, Wakenaam is probably a second home for me,” President Ramotar told a large gathering at the opening of the 5th Wakenaam Nite.
He was greeted with the news that the island has produced a top performer at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Examinations. Omeleta Balgobin copped seven Grade Ones, five Twos, and a distinction in mathematics.
The achievement was described by the President as vindication that the government’s investment in the education sector is paying off.
“Before the PPP/ Civic came to government, you only had a few schools, all of them concentrated in Georgetown, where you had these kinds of results. Nowadays, we see that our passes have increased, more and more of our children are writing examinations,” President Ramotar said.
He pointed to the 1000 or more schools that the government has constructed since taking office in 1992, and the opportunities now available in the hinterland at the primary and secondary levels.
The government’s vision for a new economy with a deep water harbour, hydropower, oil and gas was shared with the audience; and the important role agriculture continues to play, especially in the promotion of food security, was also highlighted.
Balgobin’s trip to the Kaieteur falls as a reward for her performance, and two free return tickets to the United States and Canada for lucky winners of EZjET’s promotion were just a few of the treats for patrons at this year’s Wakenaam Nite.
Angel’s Caribbean Band from the USA provided the musical accompaniment, as Terry Gajraj, Brandon Harding, and several other local and international artistes performed that evening.
A special appearance by popular television personality, Joel Gansham, was a treat for the crowd, along with African and Indian dancing.
The event has grown in stature since the hosting of the first one in 2008, organised through a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and the Wakenaam Nite Committee.
A satisfied Minister Ali said the collaboration will continue with the objective of developing a strong tourism product in Wakenaam.
“It is our belief that Wakenaam has tremendous potential in the tourism sector and we are going to work with the people here to develop what we call community-based tourism, where we are going to involve the community in the development of the tourism product that is sustainable,” Minister Ali said.
With pottery, coconut oil, a rice factory and the mighty Essequibo River being prominent features of the island, there are visionary plans to sell a tourism package entitled, “Explore the wonders of the mighty Essequibo through Wakenaam.”
The concept, according to Minister Ali, will coincide with an Essequibo Tourism Circuit that will feature a sound and light show at Fort Island to recapture the history of the Dutch occupation of Guyana and create a niche in Wakenaam and Hamburg Beach for camping and fishing.