Dear Editor

HIS Excellency, President David Granger recently visited Region Two, including along the Pomeroon River. During his many observations, he emphatically acknowledged that Region Two can become the country’s food bowl, given its vast resources including land, rice, fish, coconuts and other agricultural products.

During the inaugural Essequibo Agro and Trade Exposition, which was sponsored by the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, it was revealed that in 2016 Region Two produced 85,000 metric tonnes of rice, 810 metric tonnes of fish and shrimp, 44.4 metric tonnes of coconuts and 270,000 metric tonnes of other agricultural production. Such positive signals augers well for the continued growth and development of the Region, especially with the timely intervention of the Regional Administration. These sectors remain strong pillars of the Region’s sustainability, which can be further developed with the existence of industries that will promote processing, packaging and distribution.

I sensed that an Industry can be instituted in Dartmouth on the Essequibo Coast, where there is an abundance of land and the planting of peas on a large scale. In fact almost 180 acres of land is being cultivated by private farmers to produce peas, while plantains and mangoes are also planted in abundance. Additionally, almost 70 acres of untouched land remains available in the backlands, which can be utilised for economic gains for the residents of Dartmouth, given that there are also good access dams and irrigation within the village.

Then there is Mainstay/Wayaka Mission, which is an Amerindian village that is situated to the west of the Essequibo Coast and leading into the interior of the Region. This prospering community has a pine factory that processes the product for exports, both locally and internationally. However during the past two years the pine production has been reduced, due to the climatic condition which has led to the underutilisation of the factory.

Recently though, through a Community Development Project, which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs and the community, have been experimenting on the large scale production of coconuts and fruits, such as sour-sap, cherry and guava that can be processed and exported.

This venture is also creating opportunities for the residents to remain self-sufficient and independent. It is evident too that infrastructural developments are contributing to their progress since the access road leading into the interior is in good condition, while there is also access to portable water and electricity. The Community has also benefitted, for the first time , with the gift of a School Bus from the President’s plausible 3B’S country-wide initiative and which transports school children from both Tapakuma and Mainstay to schools on the Coast.

This concept has brought a sense of belonging and integration among the children, many of whom would not have been attending school because of the high cost of transportation. The interior therefore is becoming inter-connected with the Coastland, with Amerindians contributing key services, including the production and distribution of building materials of various types of wood, as well as the selling of handicraft, wild-meat, cassareep, fruits and vegetables, which remains in constant demand from consumers. It is therefore quite pleasing also that the business community is placing confidence in the economic stability of the Region, with the establishment of several supermarkets and business consortiums along the Essequibo Coast.

The Coast is rapidly becoming a business hub, especially in the Township, where supermarkets are located in Pomona, Adventure, Suddie, Johanna Cecelia, Mainstay, Cotton Field, Henrietta and at Charity. Significantly these businesses are also promoting local produce such as vegetables, fruits, dried-fish, bottled coconut-water from local entrepreneurs and even locally made cricket bats, craft and other sports equipment. The Region boast of producing quality rice for export from Imam Bacchus and Sons Limited, Caricom and Ramlakhan Rice Mills, cooking oil and drinking water from Alfro Alphonso Group of Companies, as well as bottled coconut water and plantain chips from Ramotar Investments, which are all collectively contributing to the local economy and creating jobs.

The Imam Bacchus Company also produces its own brand of chowmein, as well as chicken and eggs on a large scale. I have also seen both individuals and groups engaged in small scale packaging and labelling of local products such as pepper sauce, cassava bread, pickled fruits and local juices. There are many mobile enterprises that sell fresh local products daily that would reach the household, including cooking gas and kerosene oil too.

These smaller businesses are increasingly thriving, while new ideas and concepts are being developed with greater and easier access to technology and human resource. In fact some of their products are sent to Georgetown, given that faster and reliable access is guaranteed with the use of the modern ferries that ply on a daily basis. The utility sectors, including GPL and GUYWA INC are also improving their services that are designed to improve the lives of residents and even boost the tourism potential of the Region, which is cleaner and safer.

Indeed many challenges still exist, including unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide; all of which are affecting the social and economic well-being of citizens in Essequibo. Notwithstanding Region Two remains industrious and capable of becoming the country’s economic zone for growth, as well as the creation of wealth and prosperity.

Regards
Elroy Stephney