RESIDENTS in the remote villages of East Canje, Berbice, are grateful to the Government for providing them with a new highway.

The thoroughfare, which stretches over more than 12 miles, starts at Cumberland and ends at Vince Cap.
Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle, the beneficiaries expressed joy at having the road, which was completed last year by contractor H. Nauth & Sons.
Ramkumar Shamsundar, of Volkert’s Lust, said that he would be forever grateful to former President Bharrat  Jagdeo for his input in making life easier for those who live in the villages.
“I am so much pleased with the construction of a new road. It saves time and prevents flooding during the high tides, because it is high and water from the Canje Creek cannot overtop it,” he added.
Housewife Vadewattie Mathura, of Bachelor’s Adventure, observed that residents can traverse the new thoroughfare and children could travel, unhindered every day, to attend school.
“We punished for several years in our village, I am 100 percent pleased. The only thing is I would like to recommend regular clearing of the bushes along the road shoulders because it can be dangerous in the lonely areas,” she pointed out.
At Zorg Village, Parasram Beepat, who has been living there for 67 years, declared he is overwhelmed with joy at having the road.

CONSTANTLY CLEARED
But he, too, advocated that the bushes  be constantly cleared, as there could be danger for vehicular traffic at the turns.
The Regional Administration also needs to consider putting speed humps as, on weekends, people come to party by the creek in New Forest and, after imbibing, they tend to become reckless whilst driving, Beepat observed.
Since the highway was resurfaced, New Forest Village has become a centre of attraction for people of all walks of life. Tents and other accommodation, along with barbecue and washroom facilities have been provided close to the Canje Creek where persons also swim.
Shopkeeper Jerrick Barran said he is glad the area is gaining popularity, specially as many people who were born and raised in the community had left, due to the previous state of the road.
“My business is doing well on Sundays when people come to party in the village,” he confessed.
The East Canje residents admitted that the thoroughfare is the most important asset to those villagers in remote areas who can travel more comfortably to do shopping, access health care and conduct other business in a timely manner.
Several houses and plots of land in villages between Enterprise and Goedland, which had been abandoned in the past due to the lack of a proper access road, are now being retaken by the owners who have returned and started to clear bushes from their properties.