LOCAL Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, on Saturday, visited several project sites in Bartica as part of the government’s commitment to improve people’s lives and the communities countrywide. The Local Government Minister first visited the road construction project at Agatash, an Amerindian village a few kilometers away from Bartica. Minister Dharamlall told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that this is the first time that an asphalt road is being constructed in the village of some 1,500 residents.
“Previous to this road being here, everything was dusty; basically, a track for people to traverse. This is the commitment, like I said, that His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has made; every street we are now going to convert into asphaltic concrete. The asphaltic concrete makes movement much more possible,” the minister said.
Regional Executive Officer of Region Seven, Kerwin Ward, pointed out that road upgrades were underway throughout Bartica. He added that many residents, especially those in Agatash, welcome the infrastructural upgrades.

Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall also visited the site where the Dagg Point Nursery School is being constructed. The minister told DPI that following consultations with the residents, the government budgeted for the $29 million school, which is the first to be built in the village. He indicated that the school will accommodate 64 children and is slated for completion in November.
“A lot more resources are going to be retained in the village. The safety and security of the children would be enhanced by them remaining close in the village and at home,” Minister Dharamlall said. Constituency representative, Shevon John, expressed her appreciation and excitement for the new school. She pointed out that now that a school would be located within Dagg Point, parents and children would not have to struggle to get transportation to go to school in central Bartica. “A big expense will be lifted off of the parents,” John noted.
During Minister Dharamlall’s one-day visit to Bartica, he also met contractors who are spearheading projects in Region Seven.
At that meeting, the minister and contractors discussed some of the challenges they face; how best the projects could be implemented and what support the government could provide for their successful completion.