THE township of Bartica will, in a few months, welcome a Magistrate’s Court as works on the construction of the building are progressing smoothly.

The $173M project is expected to be completed by November of this year, but the rapid pace of the contractors, M&P Investments, may see the completion sooner than November.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford had told the Guyana Chronicle that the court represents a major achievement of the region, and will benefit not just the residents of Bartica, but those of all the villages within the borders of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

“Having our own court, we will be afforded the opportunity to have court every day, and not have persons travelling up and down to get their matters heard. We will no longer have to travel out of our region for justice; persons wouldn’t have to go as far as Essequibo to uplift bail money. All of that will be done right here, and that is a great boost for the community,” Bradford said.

The complex is expected to house a magistrate’s court, a magistrate’s chambers, lawyers’ rooms, a court registry, offices and living quarters. In addition to the Court project, there is also an ongoing road project in Five Miles Scheme, Bartica.

Mayor of the town, Gifford Marshall told the Guyana Chronicle that the multi-million- dollar concrete-road project is almost done, and that it was one of the major infrastructural developments for the township, since the Five Miles road is part of the main means of accessing the interior, and had suffered severe erosion.

He noted that Bartica recently celebrated three years as a township, and that the countless developmental projects are what they are most proud of.

He also drew reference to President David Granger’s singling out Bartica as one of the townships that should adopt the ‘green’ initiative. “At the municipal level, investment in our sports facilities, open spaces, and capacity building for our people continue to top the list of priorities,” the mayor said, adding: “Our objective over the next few months are not limited to greening, but includes a solid agricultural programme, with emphasis on organic food, and making Bartica one of the leading tourist destinations in Guyana. The success of the just-concluded Bartica Regatta is testimony to what we can do as a people, and a small display of our township’s true potential.” Mayor Marshall said he is committed to continue working diligently with his council, to ensure that the town keeps pressing forward.