Dear Editor

SOON after the APNU+AFC parties started putting their shoulders to the wheel as a coalition government in May 2015, plans were put in place to visit residents in every region. This was primarily to get a feel of the issues affecting them. Therefore, the visits were not done according to the region’s number, but out of necessity and also in keeping with the government’s plans.

Region One, Barima-Waini, located in the North-West and largely made up of forested highland, cover an area of over 12,000 square miles. In this region, Mabaruma was named a town under the APNU+AFC government in 2017, even as it continues to experience a constant flow of economic and social development.

The Granger-led administration has so far touched on almost every aspect of life within the region. It has been taking the government to the people through the various sectors. These include housing, healthcare, infrastructure, education, potable water and many more major projects, which are positively affecting the lives of residents therein.

Early benefits
Early in 2016 the coalition government for starters reached 21 communities in Region One, where a team heard about the needs and concerns of residents. Some of the needs related to transportation; issues of health and medical supplies and even the availability of doctors; education and the need for more teachers; sporting facilities and equipment to get the young people involved in sporting activities, as well as other matters.

Today it can be reported that every request was satisfactorily dealt with and even additional needs were met by the Ministry of Communities, as the government representative.

The Haimacabra women’s group in Region One received a sewing machine to aid them in carrying out the activities within their communities. At the same time residents of Parakese received their solar panel and fittings worth $400,000 for the health hut, to ensure adequate lighting to the facility whenever there are medical emergencies at night. This was a fulfilment of a request they had made. The residents of Wallaba also received similar assistance. Additionally, fogging machines to assist in the eradication of Acoushi ants affecting farmers were given to the residents of Assakata and other communities.

Mabaruma, prior to becoming a town was able to receive potable water from the government to adequately fulfil the needs of residents. By September, 2016 the first 15 families from the community of Sebai in the Matarkai Sub-District of Region One benefitted from improved livability under a US$3.1M new Hinterland Housing Project.

Onwards to 2019
Residents of Port Kaituma and surrounding communities in Region One are now able to benefit from better access to health care. This is as a result of the delivery of a modern ambulance equipped with all modern amenities. The entire community of Region One (Barima-Waini) will benefit.

Education is considered an essential for the residents of Region One. Just recently the residents, teachers and pupils of Wauna benefitted from the spanking new modern outlook Wauna Primary School, which cost $10M.

The facility is intended to provide academic, as well as technical education to students in the higher levels. These students will be exposed to training in refrigeration, electrical installation, welding and cooking, among other subjects.

Additionally, in 2019, 77 residents of the Matthew Ridge community in Region One received leases to lands. These residents had applied for lands for residential, agricultural and commercial purposes over two decades ago.

There was also the Mining Lottery in Port Kaituma, where some 141 persons received access to a mining block. This was after the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission held a lottery in May 2019 in Mining District Five of Port Kaituma, Region One. Residents were elated and openly expressed gratitude.

Gov’t completes vital infrastructural works
The government sought to put in place much-needed infrastructural works such as improved or new roads, modern bridges and well as an airstip.

In Port Kaituma, one of the major road projects at the cost of some $155 million had to be completed. This project necessitated the rehabilitation and construction of 700 metres of concrete rigid pavement from the Port Kaituma Police Station up to Waterfront Road, with extensions to the catwalk.

Residents reported that the road was difficult to traverse before, since it was far too narrow and that it was also hindering business activities.

There was also the modernisation of the Moruca Bridge at a cost of $110 million. The concrete double-lane bridge now links Kumaka and San Jose, replacing an old wooden bridge that was below water level and deemed unsafe.

Additionally, the New Kumaka Bridge, which is almost complete and measuring 60 feet in length. These links were designed to link the Kumaka Wharf and the Mabaruama administrative area, thus promoting movement of goods and services within communities.

Outstanding works involve the construction of guard rails of the bridge, an approach slab that will transition commuters from the road onto the bridge, and traffic paintings and signs.

The Bemichi Airstrip has also received much-needed upgrades to the tune of some $69 million.

The airstrip has a 2300-foot long and 50-foot wide runway, with a take-off capacity for large aircraft. The upgrades have also significantly reduced the time it takes to get to Moruca.

Electricity plays a major part in facilitating interconnections in these modern times. The APNU+AFC government has constructed a brand new $12M electricity distribution system for the benefit of residents there. The system, which provides power to 350 residents of the Moruca sub-district village, also supplies the village’s school, health facility and police station. Region One in the Kwebanna community also benefitted from a cassava- processing factory, which is intended to create new jobs for men and women, and boost the village economy.

Regards
Margaret Burke