Dear Editor,
IT is indeed a happy new year for us all in Region Three, because of the extensive work and 100% completion of work in our beloved region for the year 2016. Last year will indeed go down in history as the year when for the first time Region Three has seen massive infrastructural improvement. To begin with, for many years, access to the only Amerindian settlement in our region (Santa Mission) and several other communities, including La Harmony was possible only through private transportation, which was very costly on our treasury and limited the number of visits by regional and state officials. Today we can comfortably boast the availability of two boats and engines belonging to the region/state that were purchased for easy transportation to and from the areas mentioned above.
Secondly, reinforced concrete controlled structures were constructed at Meten-Meer-Zorg and Sister’s Village, added to the construction of a culvert in Groenveldt, rehabilitation of revetment and sluice doors at Bagotville, Leguan. Heavy-duty bridges were constructed at Side Line Dam, Vergenoegen, Belle Vue Housing Scheme and Canal # 1. Also, major bridge rehabilitation was done at Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara.
I now turn your attention to road projects in the region; the administration rehabilitated roads in Patentia Housing Scheme, Bank Hall to Caledonia – Wakenaam, Goed Fortuin, First Street, South-East and Bangladesh Housing Scheme in Stewartville, Cameron Dam -Canal # 1, Noitedacht to Maria Johanna – Wakenaam and De Kinderen, Old Road, West Coast Demerara.
In other developments, the administration constructed a wharf and a gateway at Makouria, Essequibo River. Under education building projects for 2016, the following were completed: the construction of Philadelphia Primary School in Vergenoegen East Bank Essequibo (EBE); extension and rehabilitation of the Patentia Nursery School; extension of Belle West and Zeelugt Primary Schools; enclosure to bottom flat of Essequibo Islands Secondary School in Wakenaam, catering for the Science and Home Economics Departments; rehabilitation works to Canal # 1 Nursery School and construction of a pathway for the Anna Catherina Nursery School; construction of Aliki Primary School in the Essequibo River; construction of sanitary block at Cornelia Ida and Sans Suci Primary Schools and the construction of a fence walkway and land-filling of Philadephia Primary School in Vergenoegen, EBE.
In addition, under the Furniture and Health Equipment project activities for 2016, the region purchased the following and distributed them to the relevant health care facility in the area: Cardiac Monitor, portable Nebulizer, steam Boiler, Riso Graph, Medilite Centrifuges, Living Room Suite, Chemical Analyzers, Beds Wooden, examination beds, Delivery Beds – Patients, Industrial Gas Stoves, Brush Cutters, Infant Warmers and Air Conditioning Units.
Finally, under the health building projects for 2016, the region sought to complete the following: construction of doctors’ lounge at the WDRH; Rehabilitation of two Surgical Theatres; construction for the first time of a HDU (High Dependency Unit) at WDRH; rehabilitation of the Nurses’ Hostel at the WDRH; extension of the drug bond and dispensary at the Leonora Cottage Hospital; construction of concrete trestles at Tuschen Health Centre and the WDRH; construction of waiting area at the St. Lawrence Health post, EBE; construction of building to accommodate porters and ambulance drivers at the Leonora Diagnostic Centre and rehabilitation and completion of X–Ray department at Leguan Cottage Hospital.
Finally, under the land and water transport activities for 2016, the region purchased one ambulance and a 4×4 single-cab pick-up. Words cannot express how pleased I am with this regional administration and you would have recognised that I did not mention any of the many roads that were graded, the many drains that were cleared and the many playfields that were rehabilitated. Nor did I mention the staff-motivated activities and general upliftment of all staff within the administration. In closing, may the peace and blessings of 2017 be upon all of us and may the regional administration headed by Mr. Denis Jaikaran continue to serve the people of Region Three with distinction. There is indeed still a lot to be done and it will be done. The best is yet to come.
Ganesh Mahipaul.