WITH one week left to go for the annual Mashramani street jam celebration, last-minute changes are expected to be made to the Brickdam route for the Mashramani float and costume parade, slated to be held on February 23.The Guyana Chronicle understands that a significant number of Cabinet ministers and other prominent persons have been clamouring for a review of the current Mash route.
The Mashramani route matter was said to be one of the burning issues that faced Cabinet members recently. The officials say they are against the current route, noting the strains it would pose on the commercial aspect of the event.
The Guyana Chronicle was also told that subject Minister Nicolette Henry was summoned by Cabinet and asked to present a review of the current Mashramani route. While the junior minister was required to return last Tuesday with the reviewed route, the newspaper was told that that did not occur.
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has confirmed however that “There have been reviews of the Mashramani route on two occasions.” He said that indeed the Mashramani route has been “modified, for example, the new route still includes Brickdam.”
“One of the reasons for the review was the consideration of vending and other commercial activities.”
The PM pointed out that there are concerns that the current route might not be able to accommodate the vending activities that usually occur on Mashramani Day. Since the announcement of the 2017 Mash route which had been changed and shortened to facilitate Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary last year, the event has seen a decline in the number of participants.
Telecommunication giant Digicel, for example, is a regular supporter of Mashramani, not only providing costumes to interested persons, but also physically prepares its members for the street jam; however, the company will not be on the road this year.
The normal Mashramani route would see numerous persons and companies taking the opportunity to sell their items. Thousands of persons usually sign up to secure their spots. It is understood however, that so far, just over 250 persons have registered to operate during the festivities.
Some businesspersons have spoken out against the new Mash route, describing the move as anti-business. It was explained that the shorter Mash route reduced the number of persons that could operate on that day and the size of their operations. It was also stated that while the Mashramani event should be expanded and further promoted for tourism and other commercial purposes, the shortening of the route can kill the flair of the event. The undesirable Mash route is slated to begin at Avenue of the Republic and Church Street, south to Brickdam and then east along Brickdam to Durban Park.