COME April 23, 2016 Bartica will attain the status of township in keeping with a promise made by President David Granger during his election campaign, and an ordinance made by the British government some 178 years ago.The President made the announcement yesterday during a public meeting at the Bartica Secondary School. With him at the meeting were Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms Simona Broomes.

“I made a promise when I was campaigning, and I promised that Bartica will become a town before May 26, 2016, the 50th Independence anniversary,” the President said, adding: “In fact, Bartica will be a town on the 23rd April, 2016.”
Speaking to the significance of the chosen date, President Granger told the gathering that it was on April 23, 178 years ago that the Ordinance was made by the colonial government, hence his government would like to make that decree a reality.
Noting that April 23 may very well coincide with the Easter Regatta celebrations, the President called on all to come out and celebrate the township and show solidarity for the community moving forward.

‘GREENING’ OF BARTICA
He also tasked residents with not only making the necessary preparations befitting of a town, but also striving to make Bartica become Guyana’s “first ever ‘green’ town.”
“I would like you to use the next ten months to make Bartica the most beautiful town in the entire country. There are economic reasons; there are health reasons for that; there are political, social and cultural reasons for that,” the President said, adding that the ‘greening’ of Bartica is important, in that when persons pay the community a visit, everything should reflect Guyana’s pristine hinterland region.
“By a green town,” he said, “I mean that you must look at your energy: Stop bringing in diesel and gasoline; let us use wind and sun power… But we have to adopt green energy; and Bartica must be Guyana’s first ‘green’ town.”
For starters, he said Barticians should begin cutting back on the use of Styrofoam and plastic, and pay keener attention to proper solid-waste disposal.

“Let us ensure that energy generation is sustainable,” he urged. “Let us ensure that our schools, our hospitals, our clinics, and our homes use green energy; sustainable renewable energy from sunlight; from the wind.”
He also stressed the importance of children learning from small how to properly dispose of waste, and how to utilise the good things that are produced locally, in an effort to minimise the importation of commodities, including plastics.
“So, by being a ‘green’ economy, Bartica will renew itself, sustain itself, and not damage the environment as I see happening now.”
Also at the meeting, residents were afforded the opportunity of raising some of their concerns, which includes the urgent need for a proper waste disposal site and the delay of the requisite permit for a crematorium.
Residents of Karrau raised some concerns over land distribution in the village and called for a thorough investigation and audit into the Village Council activities.
While in Bartica, President Granger also joined in celebrating the 172nd Anniversary of the St. John the Baptist Church, and wishing fathers all across Guyana a Happy Father’s Day. (GINA)