A new bridge, which was commissioned several days ago at the indigenous village of Wakapoa in the Pomeroon , is expected to benefit some 400 residents, including children and farmers.

The $1M bridge, the second to be built by the APNU+AFC government since coming into office, was commissioned by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, last Thursday as the administration intensifies its efforts towards bridging the economic and social divide.

According to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, funding for the construction of the structure was made from allocations in its capital expenditure from last years’ budget. The construction of the structure was deemed by Toshao of the Village Howard Cornelius as historic.

Minister Allicock, while addressing residents, said Thursday’s commissioning was a representation of Governments’ commitment to development, since, in the past, requests to build bridges within the community fell on deaf ears; however it was now a reality.
“I am happy to be here to witness the opening of another new bridge for your comfort, more so for the comfort of the children getting to school easier and quicker… we are happy that we can deliver what we promised you and this a good example of building bridges,” he said.

“We are very pleased with the results. It has taken time, there’s plenty of work to do but with your support, your commitment for the building of your own community…we have seen signs of coming together, and we are hoping that this relationship will continue to grow for the sake of the development of the economy of your community and for the good life of everyone here,” Minister Allicock added.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Regional Executive Officer (REO), Denis Jaikaran reaffirmed the government’s commitment to development in the area , noting that the administration is not idle where this is concerned.“Our Government is not an idle Government we do not only make promises, but we deliver on our promises and you would have recognized for the past couple of years every single promise we made to you in this community, in this region and across this country we were able to deliver,” he said.

He said that it is important for all to understand that the structure bridges two points in the community, as he linked it to placing differences aside.

Meanwhile, Toshao Cornelius commended efforts made by residents for the execution of the project. “I am very proud of you because of what you have done and as a result we have a bridge and a new road that was open up to the school and as the Toshao we want to pledge our support for the development of this community and we want to work with the Government of the day and the government has been very supportive”.

Gavin Prince, a resident and a beneficiary of the project said, “it will benefit us in plenty ways when we have to go to our farm when water high, the hospital, the school because when the water high it does come to like four feet and does got plenty electric eel, big one too so it does be dangerous so now we ain’t got to punish when water high you just got to cross the bridge now.”

Villagers were asked to continue to work together for the benefit of their village so that the “Good Life” promised can be realised.