By Michel Outridge

ROSIGNOL is a bustling village on the West Bank of the Berbice River. Back in the days, before the Berbice River Bridge was constructed, it used to be busier, because there was a port and the Rosignol Stelling, which was the main crossing point on the western bank of the Berbice River.

It is also a main stopping and exchange point for public transportation travelling along routes 50 and 53. The population comprises primarily people of mixed race and Indo and Afro Guyanese.

Rosignol was home to two cinemas, the Atma and the Ritz (the latter of which was burned down). The cinemas were popular in their heyday and patrons came from many miles and towns away.

The attraction of the cinemas faded with the introduction of VCRs and later with DVDs. Also located in the village at one point was an adult entertainment house called Sweet Lips Disco and Restaurant; the disco is now defunct, leaving only the restaurant in business. On Saturdays, the village holds the biggest one-day market in the region. The huge Rosignol Fisheries is next to the stelling.

As of 2013, the town had improved a lot with many new businesses popping up on land that was once bushy and unused, and which has now been cleared for building purposes and agricultural use due to an increase in population. It has developed from a quiet village to being quite busy.

The recently constructed Berbice bridge has taken some of the life and importance of the old stelling, but it still serves as a mode of transportation for people looking for another way to get across the river.

Rosignol has three schools, a nursery school, Rosignol Primary and Rosignol Secondary.
Meanwhile, following its increase in businesses, the Region Five Chamber of Industry and Commerce has been lobbying for Rosignol to be given township status.

The move is in keeping with an announcement by President David Granger that every administrative region in Guyana should have their own capital towns

In a media release, the chamber said Rosignol already has the major infrastructural and other requirements of a town in place, including access to financial services such as banks/lending facilities, a market and health centres and three points of entry/exit to/from Region Five (ie Berbice Bridge and two stellings).

The chamber also cited the presence of nursery/primary and secondary schools, easy river transport access, access to a law-enforcement facility and land available for housing expansion as additional attributes in favour of its request for consideration of township status for the region.

“The recent announcement of the construction of a port/harbour terminal at Crab Island is also expected to cater for significant economic impacts on the neighbouring community and Rosignol will definitely stand to benefit from this as well,” the chamber said.

Chairman of the NDC

Chairman of the Zeelust/Rosignol Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Chate Ramnauth Puran, told the Pepperpot Magazine that over the years the village has been transformed into a busy commercial hub and it is only a matter of time before it becomes a town.

He added that the village is shaping up nicely to gain township status and it has all the elements to become one with many businesses, two banks, schools, malls, wash bays, mechanic shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants and a lot of other facilities.

Puran stated that Rosignol is joined with another village, that is, D’ Edward Village and one of the major challenges is getting people to pay up their rates and taxes, which, he said, has caused a lot of infrastructural works to be stalled.

He explained that with the impending rainy season the sideline drains and canals are stuffed with garbage and weeds which needs to be cleared and other internal works should be done, but without the necessary funds the works cannot be undertaken.

Puran noted that Rosignol is home to about 3,000 residents, most of whom are employed with the nearby Blairmont Estate, some cattle and cash crops farmers, fishermen and other small business owners.

The village, he said, has a squatting area located in and around the old railway embankment and has fairly good roads and drainage system.

The NDC Chairman pointed out that this Saturday the Region Five Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their Village Day at the market area; all items on sale will reflect a five per cent reduction in prices to facilitate pocket-friendly shopping.

Puran added that the NDC has 16 members and they provide employment for 15 persons.