-solar panels to be installed soon

By Ravin Singh

THE historic Umana Yana which was recently rebuilt was officially handed over to the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture by the Public Infrastructure Ministry. Having missed several deadlines for its completion, the historical landmark, which was gutted by fire in 2014, was successfully rebuilt by May of this year at an approximate cost of $106M.
Handing over the “Benab” to the Department of Culture was Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson , who boasted that all preventive measures are in place in the newly rebuilt Umana Yana.

He expressed how satisfying it is to be part of such an event, given the fact that it forms part of a representation of Guyana’s history.
“We are happy to be part of such an event and we hope in the future that Guyanese people, particularly indigenous people can benefit from it,” Minister Patterson said.
However, he revealed that solar systems will be installed next week to provide electricity for the building. This, a ministerial advisor had told this publication, was in keeping with the Indigenous People’s Ministry agenda of sourcing renewable energy.
Receiving the monument was Junior Minister of Education with responsibility for Culture, Nicolette Henry. Like Patterson, she too expressed satisfaction with the completion of what she described as “an important architectural structure in Guyana’s history.”
“It’s one of the key pieces of architectural work that is in the city that was done by our first people. We believe that it is important to our history and we are happy to have it back,” Minister Henry said.
Immediately, the building will be utilized by the government to host a cultural evening, tonight (Friday), as part of the Hague Conference currently being held in Guyana. The facility will also be utilized by the government and other entities to host other local, regional and international events.
Last year, $38M was allocated for the rebuilding of the Umana Yana by the government. However, it was completed at a cost of $106M, which takes into consideration installation of solar equipment and the refurbishing of washrooms, a water system and the kitchen.
The foundation and floor of the new building were completed by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure last year. Expertise from this ministry was also sought to explore the option of having the structure exclusively powered by solar-generated electricity.

The Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry was responsible for the architectural design of the benab through the Wai Wais, with the guidance of local Toshao Paul Chikema.
Constructed by the Wai Wais in 1972, the 55-foot Umana Yana had been a conical, palm-thatched hut (benab) erected as a VIP lounge and recreation centre for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Guyana in August of that year.
The old Umana Yana was a much admired part of Georgetown’s scenery, and was constantly used as an exhibition and conference centre. The 55-foot-high structure was made from thatched allibanna and manicole palm leaves, and wallaba posts lashed together with mukru, turu and nibbi vines. The original structure was put up in just 80 days.