THE Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Cuyuni Mazaruni (Region Seven), Kerwin Ward has said that during his tenure, he will work towards ensuring that Region Seven becomes a leading tourist hub in the country.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ward said that Bartica has always been known as the gateway to the interior, and it would have been portrayed that the region’s predominant potential is mining.

However, the REO said that though mining may be one of the main economic activities, he sees more potential in tourism.

“Upon coming here, I realised that the mining industry is not really kicking as before. So what I would want to see happen in this region, this region has a lot of potential for tourism. From the administrative level, we will try to lobby to see how much we can encourage person’s on board to push our tourism drive in this region because I see great potential for tourism. In the world right now, tourism is a big thing and Region Seven is a beautiful region. It’s a wonderful sight to see the waterfalls, and all the eco-tourism sites,” Ward said.

He alluded to the fact that Guyana was recently dubbed the leading eco-tourism country in the world, and Region Seven he said, has the potential to ensure that, that tittle remains with Guyana.

“…and since Bartica has been identified to be transformed into the model “green” town and will push the “green” agenda, that will also help the region tremendously, in maintaining a high tourism drive,” he added.

Ward was placed in the region early January 2019, following the resignation of Roderick Edinboro.

Ward told this newspaper that he will fulfill the government’s mandate.

“The mandate is to see all regions decentralised and to have their own development agenda, which we are trying to achieve in this region. We have to remember that Region Seven is not only Bartica, and realise that it is the second largest region. So what we want to do as administration, is to reach out to all corners of the region to ensure that all persons can benefit from improved infrastructure, education, health facilities, health personnel and so forth,” he said.

For this year, Region Seven has a capital allocation of $448.6M, which Ward said will be used for developmental projects throughout Upper, Middle and Lower Mazaruni.

“We are building four new schools in the region, including a special needs school in Bartica. We are improving the roads in the region, already started in Waramadong and Kamarang. A bridge in 72 Miles is being contstructed, a Science lab at the secondary school in Waramadong,and more doctors’ quarters. We want doctors in every district to improve services to minimise referrals,” Ward said.

These are but of a few of the developmental ventures in the region, he said, assuring that all will be done in the best interests of the people.