AFTER living without electricity for decades, residents of Mara are finally enjoying the benefits of reliable power, a long-awaited transformation that is already improving daily living, education, business activities, and overall community development.

Ramjagan Singh, a long-time resident of Mara, reflected on the generations of his family who have lived in the community since the village was first named during the 1960s.

He said that his father came to Mara when the scheme initially started, and both his parents have remained there ever since.

Singh noted that for decades the community endured many hardships, but he said there has been significant improvement under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government.

He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the administration, stating that residents never expected to see electricity in their lifetime.

“This is something we never think about or expect,” he said, adding that it is the direct result of the efforts of President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, which have now transformed the lives of the people of Mara.

He said: “With electricity, this will open this area to investment so people can come in and do investment because there is current, you want open a workshop anything, we have current and all these things can happen in Mara now.”

Another resident, Paula Chisholm, 57, who has resided in Mara her entire life, said: “I am comfortable living in Mara because things are getting better in Mara. We had solar so now we have electricity and we can use it. I have a freezer and my things freeze and now I know about taking it out and thaw off and what’s not, so I am so glad for this government and what he has done for us.”

Additionally, residents pointed to the major improvement on the East Bank Berbice road as another significant development for the community.

They related that the upgraded roadway has drastically reduced the time it takes to travel to and from Mara, making transportation faster, safer, and more reliable.

In 2023, some $400 million was also spent to upgrade sections of the East Bank Berbice main access road to allow easier access to residents and farmers.

The improved access has also made it easier not only for residents but farmers as well to move their produce from the community to New Amsterdam, further contributing to the overall development of the area.

Chisholm added, “water is good, we can’t complain about the water, and thank you so much for the road, the road improvement so much, we can go and come easy.”

Another resident, Devika Bhola, said: “I would like to thank the government for the light because without the light we used to punish without it, because for the children them, it help them when they are doing homework and everything.”

She continued: “Now them can go school with them clothes iron neat and so it’s a nice thing because I married here and living here for thirty years. My husband live here all he life and since he was a baby he grow up without light and now he get it.”