…businessmen call on persons to care the bus sheds built for their comfort

A CORPORATE business, conscious of its social responsibility, has provided yet another bus shed for the benefit of commuters, even as some unconscionable individuals have been vandalising some that were erected.

The newest facility, located in the vicinity of the overpass at Diamond, on the East Bank Demerara, was constructed by Guybisco, a distribution company of the popularly known XL Energy Drink and Blue Water (Cran Water).
It will greatly benefit patients and visitors to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, as well as other persons who, upon visiting the community to conduct various forms of business, can now seek shelter from the elements, whether sun or rain, as they await transportation.

Collis Venture, Marketing Coordinator of the company, which is located at Industrial Estate, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, in a release stated that the company, which had previously installed a similar facility at the western end of the overpass at Eccles, saw the need for the latest facility.

Guybisco is also the distributor of SoftLove diapers and baby wipes; Everyday, a variety of products ranging from snacks, milk, grocery items and dog food); Alpro- the plant base, lactose free drink); Calnort cubes and powder; Excellence-tomato paste and sardine; Geurts-jams; Crown peanut butter and Eyssen cheese, all brands that are of supreme quality that focused on customers’ satisfaction, according to Venture.

The company, which is dedicated and passionate about its social responsibilities, had previously partnered with non-profit organisations to perform charitable work, and make several donations to mothers in need at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and to several Christian organisations.  Venture said that as Guybisco continues to grow, it is constantly looking for avenues to extend the reach of its philanthropy.

The bus shed project, dubbed the “Adopt a Shelter/Adopt a Bin” initiative, is the brainchild of Mr Kwame Mentore of the Pyramid Shelter, Outdoor and Branding Company. Mentore’s goal was to have had at least 20 bus sheds erected at various locations in the city by May 26 as a beautification exercise for the Jubilee celebrations, and he had called on both public and private donors to adopt or sponsor a bus shed.

Among the companies that subsequently became involved were, Green Acres School Group, Xtra Energy, Farfan & Mendes, Guyana Lottery Company, Quick Access Business Services; Quark Communications Inc, Assuria Life (GY) Inc. and Trans Guyana Airways.

But the Guyana Chronicle has noted what appears to be the deliberate vandalisng of the facilities at Houston, near the overpass; on Vlissengen Road, between the Guyana Water Inc. and The Botanical Gardens; and almost all that are located along Aubrey Barker Street, the main thoroughfare to the South Ruimveldt community.

In an invited comment last week, Yogindra Arjune, General Manager of Assuria, which is responsible for the construction of three such facilities, one each at Woolford Avenue, the University of Guyana and Regent Street, expressed his displeasure that some persons have seen it fit to vandalise such facilities that have been constructed for the benefit of the citizens themselves.

While there have been no complaints about those he built on Regent Street and at the University of Guyana, Arjune said he twice had to carry out restoration works to the facility on Woolford Avenue, only to see it being damaged again.

Arjune said that his interest in building a bus shed on Woolford Avenue piqued as he was driving through the area one rainy day and observed children having to scamper with nowhere to seek shelter.

He said though that while he is disheartened at the damage, it will not deter him from being obligated to his social responsibility.

He, however, sees the need for the public to be educated as to the need for care of projects that are for their benefit.

Also, several persons with whom this publication spoke, decried the wanton behaviour of some persons who are bent on destroying the facilities.