-President

TOURISTS and Guyanese will now be graced by the site of a gigantic arch which symbolises the eastern gateway to Georgetown and the border between the city and the East Coast of

Demerara (ECD).
The $20M arch, which was donated to the country by Trinidad trading giant, AnsaMcal, was commissioned on Saturday by President David Granger and Executive Chairman of the company, Norman Sabga.

President Granger described the arch as a depiction of Caribbean engineering talent, which is an acknowledgement of the innovativeness of the Region.
Construction of the arch was done by Engineer Marcel Gaskin and Industrial Fabricators Inc.
“This is an extension of our infrastructural development…it sends a signal that the Caribbean economy is vibrant,” said the President, who underscored that the arch also symbolises the friendship between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana and by extension the cooperation among CARICOM countries.

The arch was donated to the country in recognition of its 50th anniversary of independence and was unveiled a few weeks before Guyana celebrates its 51st anniversary on May 26.
It was pointed out that the construction of arches began when Guyana gained its independence in 1966. Those arches were used as landmarks in towns and villages across the country, said Granger.
Speaking about the arch at Brickdam, the President said that it represents the integrity of the nation, diversity of origins of the six ethnic groups and the unity of the three Dutch colonies– Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara — which were combined in 1831 to form British Guiana.

“It symbolises our destiny… and the model at Brickdam has been one for other monuments in other parts of the country,” he said, while pointing out that Banks DIH had donated the arch which stands at the southern entrance to Georgetown, Agricola.
And citizens of Georgetown are grateful for the new arch which defines the boundaries of the capital city.
The arch was also defined as a signpost which defines the frontier of a fast-growing commercial and residential zone.

Aside from what it defines, the President also highlighted that the arch was reflective of Guyana’s “green agenda,” because it is powered by solar energy.
The arches however received criticism, especially during the phase of erection which caused a huge build-up of traffic along the ECD and in parts of Georgetown.
Minister of Infrastructure David Patterson, during his remarks, accepted full responsibility for the traffic disruption on Thursday, but said that the arch is indeed necessary despite criticisms, because it is an enhancement of Guyana’s history.

“No one remembers a road… persons will not remember the individual roads, instead in the case of a monument, they will know and appreciate the effort to preserve the uniqueness of the Guyanese culture.
A year of hard work has become a reality but, the need for public/private partnerships does not end here,” said the minister, but urged investors to invest in Guyana not just for personal gains, but for the country.

Sabga followed up on the minister’s comments and noted that the arch is their way of giving back to the country after operating here successfully for 25 years.
The chairman of the company also apologised for the inconvenience caused, but noted that they will continue to work towards partnering with the government and creating employment for Guyanese.