By Zena Henry
GUYANA may be a fairly large country, a lush scenic Amazon gem. But to really admire this South American beauty, one would seriously have to consider spending more time out of the city, away from the automation and speed of things.
Given her magnificence, it is often times mind-boggling as to why the larger percent of the country’s small population prefers to live in the low lying, flood prone coast land. Even the country’s capital Georgetown is located there, where the bulk of the nation’s economic activities occur.

In more recent times, the majority of national services were provided in Georgetown forcing citizens from far-reaching regions to visit the city to transact business that included the acquisition of passports, identification cards and other vital documents. Sometimes persons would have to make numerous trips or even overnight in the city since conducting certain transactions took days to be completed and persons lived too far to return to their homes and make it for another day.

It is nonetheless a mandate by local authorities who say they are eager to decentralize certain services that would make life much easier for persons living outside of Georgetown. Outside of this, there is a concerted effort to make every region self –sufficient; that is, them having the ability to build their own roads, be adequately responsible for their environment, policies and residents.

Prior to this being done, several calls had been made for regions to become independent, while some residents, particularly those in Georgetown had called for the relocation of the country’s capital. With changing climates and effects of Global Warming, it was felt that the already flood- prone capital should be relocated, especially since great difficulty exits in maintaining the Dutch- built drainage system, that flood waters continue to wreak havoc on homes and businesses and contributes to destroy infrastructure.

Currently, a parking meter system installed to manage the influx of vehicles around core business areas is being used to correct congestion and traffic flow in the city. Persons come from locations all over the country on a daily basis for various reasons, many would like to park closest to their destinations and even shop from their vehicles if they could. Vendors and other commercial operators cram into commercial spaces. Pedestrians and shoppers use that same space adding to the concoction of dwellers.
For some people having to rub shoulders, make room for others to pass and repeatedly ask for an excuse to walk by is an undesirable experience, and if they could avoid it all together they certainly would.

Amrita Bailey of 1035 Herstelling New Scheme East Bank Demerara said that she is patiently monitoring the development of the East Bank so that she no longer has to face the bustle of Georgetown. The woman said that she has been living on the East Bank for over a year now, and she could not have been happier about her decision.
“Georgetown is hectic,” she told the Guyana Chronicle, describing the crowds that she would usually have to go through particularly in market areas. According to Bailey, “the East Bank is developing quite nicely,” and she expects that the areas bordering the main artery between the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the city becomes self –sufficient and does not demand that citizens go to the city for services.

“My insurance company is in town so I have to go there, but if they put a branch up here (on the EBD) or I find another agency then I wouldn’t have to go to town,” Bailey explained. She noted however that there were numerous amenities on the EBD and praised the fact that her transactions could be done not too far from home.
EBD residents can pay their water rates at Peter’s Hall while their light bills can be paid at Grove. Some developing housing schemes are without telephone lines and have to access the internet from a third party provider usually based on the city.

EBD residents are however thrilled about the recently-opened Massy Super Store at Providence. A major gym is located there as well as a New Thriving Chinese Restaurant which opened its doors some two weeks now. Noting the development of the East Bank, it is the restaurant’s second branch. DSL, another major grocery store, has two branches on the EBD.
Several commercial banks continue to take the hint, adding to the development of the East Bank. The Diamond Diagnostic Centre is the largest health facility on the East Bank and provides the lifesaving option of closer medical attention than Georgetown. Security facilities are stretched out as far as the 40km thoroughfare from the Ruimveldt Police Station to the Timehri Police Station.

Princess Hotel provides much entertainment with a fun park, gaming centre and movie theatre. HJ TV’s Water World also provides much entertainment, while the usually event- packed Providence Stadium is within close proximity of many neighbouring communities.
Home-owners need not look to Georgetown for appliances and materials if building a new home. The construction and machinery companies are endless, while construction of commercial lodging buildings seem to be on the rise.

The once aggravating traffic back-up nightmare is being remedied now that a four-lane road leading from Ruimveldt to Grove has been constructed. With intentions to construct another road from the East Bank to the East Coast, it’s anyone’s guess how long Georgetown will remain the go to place for business.