RESIDENTS of East Bank Berbice who are not recipients of electricity were on Thursday elated after receiving solar panels through the collaborative efforts of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. (FFTP) and the Regional Democratic Council.The Rural Solar Electrification Project saw the distribution of 150 household solar panel kits to families who lack access to the national electricity grid.

The villages which would benefit are Mara, Plegtanker, Highbury, and Lightown on the East Bank of Berbice and New Forest Village, East Canje.
Fifty-four-year-old Benomie Kesney of Lightown, welcomed the initiative since he cannot afford a lighting plant like some of his neighbours.
“I used a lamp [kerosene]; I worked at the Estate and would do some farming to supplement my income in order to support my wife and two children. I am so thankful for this solar panel,” he mused.
However, Mara resident Ramnauth Ragubar, aged 57, was disappointed as he was unable to grab the opportunity to have lights in his house.
According to him, he was unable to make a donation like his fellow villagers and had gone to borrow the required sum, but on his return the distribution had been completed and he was left without, although his name was listed.
“Mam, me want light. Is a long time. See what you can do,” he reiterated.
In the meantime, Regional Chairman Mr. David Armogan noted that when the President of the St. Francis Community Developers [SFCD], Mr. Alex Foster approached him to discuss the project in relation to Lightown, he along with the Vice-Chaiman Bhopaul Jagroo, sought to have it extended to include the other villages.
He told the gathering at Yonette George’s residence in Lightown, where the distribution began, that while the solar panels could not solve all the problems, it allows lights into homes, visibility for students to study and mobile phones could be charged.

In addition to light, the residents were updated on the status of the East Bank Berbice road project, the development of the drainage and irrigation system and applications for lands.
Project Coordinator, Ms. Andrea Benjamin, who apologised for the absence of her superiors, said since the solar project came on stream in 2011, over 320 families have benefited. The recipients include Bara Cara, an agriculture-based community up the Canje River, also in Berbice. This community, she said, received 200 kits.
However, Benjamin noted that the regional administration played a critical role in providing transportation for the panels which were conveyed from Georgetown to the villages where they were distributed.
In addition to the panels, residents of Lightown were promised a water pump and agricultural tools, so that the community could reach its full potential.
However, SFCD President, Mr. Alex Foster, in issuing a stern warning to the villagers, said the entire village will be blamed, if any one person sells the panel.
“Any other assistance coming to these communities is dependent on how you treat today’s support,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, the 12-volt, three-bulb solar panel lighting sets would have a life span of five years if the user adheres to the instructions. A warning was issued against its use for television and other electrical appliances.
In addition, the solar unit should not be installed on the roof, as holes through the coverings may create leaks.