By: Indrawattie Natram

REGION Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva is optimistic that with the dredging of the Pomeroon River mouth, a deep-water habour can be built to strengthen trade and rake in huge profits for the region’s cash-crop farmers.

She made these comments during a recent meeting with senior officials of the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI). Bank officials met with senior members of the Region Two administration ahead of its flood-relief distribution exercise at Charity.

During her interactions with the bank’s team which was headed by Chief Executive Officer James Foster, the Regional Chairperson pointed out that Pomeroon has great economic potential and with the right infrastructural investments, the region can produce food for all Guyana and the Caribbean.

She stated that a company discussed a proposal for the establishment of a deep-water harbour in the Pomeroon River with her office some time back. She did not provide further details.

De Silva said now that the Ali administration is in office, she will be making the necessary representation to central government and the relevant authorities with the aim of making this proposal a reality.

“I will personally engage [in] talks with our President on this, because once this is done, I see a bright future for those cultivating in the Pomeroon River,” De Silva stated.

She said once heavy-duty vessels can make their way up the river, trade in the region will be expanded.

De Silva, who is the owner of the Henvil Coconut Farm, explained that a vessel takes seven hours to travel from the Pomeroon River to Georgetown and 36 hours to reach Trinidad.

“Dredging of the Pomeroon River mouth channel will enhance trade. Vessels will be able to come directly [in to] conduct trade and return to their destinations, Region Two needs this,” De Silva said.

The Regional Chairperson informed that apart from her personal efforts, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) will be making the necessary recommendations to push the idea.

Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer Devanand Ramdatt who was also part of the discussions, said there is a lot of infrastructural development to be done in the Pomeroon River and it will require a multi-stakeholder approach.

He endorsed the idea of vessels coming directly into the Pomeroon River to conduct trade. The REO emphasised that this will be a huge investment, for which the necessary representation has to be made.