By Michel Outridge

AT Murphy’s Dam, Rosignol, West Bank Demerara, the Pepperpot Magazine met Puran Persaud, an overseas-based Guyanese who was happy to be home for the holidays.

He explained that although he is Guyanese he works in Barbados in the construction industry; his father passed away recently, and he had to return home to pay his respects, among other things.

“My dad died recently and gave me this place, so I am here to spend a few days to clean up; I live further down the road, and this will always be home,” he said.

Persaud related that Rosignol is home for him and he’s always nostalgic when he’s there, because the people live in peace and there is nothing like racism and discrimination there.

“Most people here depend heavily on the nearby Blairmont Estate, fishing, and small-scale, cash- crop farming for their livelihoods and it is a nice place to reside for a family life of serenity,” he said.

However, Persaud is very concerned about the welfare of the youths in the village, who wander and lime aimlessly at nights because of unemployment; he believes it is time they become gainfully employed, since they don’t want to work on the sugar estate, fish or farm.

The Pepperpot Magazine also spoke to several business operators, and Mark Singh was among them; he manages a large clothing store at Rosignol Market Road, the main hub for businesses.

He reported that he has one person in his employ since the business cannot be managed alone; he has a wide range of ladies and gents clothing, shoes, watches, bags, suitcases and many other things, at very reasonable prices.

Singh said the business was handed down to him four years ago and he is trying to attract customers with his prices and quality merchandise.

“This business is a family tradition, been around for many years and it will remain as such because it is successful as you can see,” he said.

Singh, like others, does not reside at his businessplace; a few doors away is his residence which is comfortably within walking distance and he thinks Rosignol is the place to earn a living.

The Pepperpot Magazine also encountered a young man in the Rosignol Market area, Alex Reis, who was assisting a friend to sell some cotton bed sheets.

He stated that he is from Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice and was trying to sell some stuff in a barrel he received from overseas.

“We just trying to ‘catch we hand’ for the Christmas, that’s why we here trying to sell off these sheets, which are of good quality,” he said.

Another large store owner, Rofeena, said business has been fair and a week or two before Christmas sales are expected to increase, because it is in our blood to make last-minute shopping and utilise deals and bargains.

She has three employees in her store which has in stock a variety of clothing for both men and women, children, household items, electrical articles, shoes, cosmetics, perfumes, brand name watches and other high-end items at unbeatable prices.

The Rosignol resident disclosed that the area is virtually crime-free and certain things they do not have to worry about; because of the many businesses competing with each other, they have to regulate prices to meet the people’s needs, so there is healthy competition among businesses.

“Life here is good, quiet; we don’t get any crimes or anything. I try to sell every little thing and business picking up with the season upon us, but people are shopping,” she said.

Mohamed told the Pepperpot Magazine that people would come from as far as Corentyne, New Amsterdam, Georgetown and other outlying areas to do their shopping at Rosignol, West Bank Berbice, because of the pocket-friendly prices and good-quality products.