A MONUMENT in honour and memory of the twelve persons who lost their lives in the infamous Bartica massacre of February 2008, was yesterday officially handed over to the Bartica community during a special ceremony held at the water front, in the vicinity of St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. Dubbed ‘The Monument of Hope’, it is a gift to the community from Mr. J. Patrick Sheridan and Guyana Goldfields Incorporated (GGI), with support from the Government and people of Canada, among others.

The monument – ‘a living will and testament’ to the lives of the 12 men who were brutally and senselessly gunned down – some while in the line of duty, and others while asleep or otherwise in the comfort of their homes, honours and celebrates the lives of:  Dexter Adrian, Irving Ferreira, Edwin Gilkes, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Deonarine Singh, Errol Thomas. Abdool Yasseen, Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constable Shane Fredericks and Constable Ron Osborne of the Guyana police Force.

The monument, ideally located at the water’s edge – just a few feet away from the majestic Essequibo River, where the sound of  the river constantly in motion is known to bring therapy, is looked upon as a sanctuary of ‘hope and healing’.

Among the distinguished gathering at yesterday’s ceremony, were Prime Minister and Acting President Samuel Hinds; Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. Francois Montour; Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, the Right Reverend Cornell Moss; Pastor Ovid Benjamin; Donor, Mr. Patrick Sheridan and Regional Chairman Holbert Knights.  Also present were relatives of the slain men and students and teachers from the Bartica Secondary School.

Welcome and Opening Remarks were delivered by Reverend Oswald Bess and the blessing of the monument was done by the Right Reverend Cornell Moss who described the monument as a symbol of hope,  the promise of community and a multi-racial society – of one people, one nation and one destiny.

“Never again should what happened in Bartica [on February 12, 2008] occur anywhere again in Guyana, and it is our hope that this is true,” he affirmed.

Empathising with the relatives of the twelve fallen men, Mr. Sheridan, in handing the monument over to the people of Bartica, noted:  “I know your loss is still very difficult to accept and with each passing season there will be special memories…but I wish all of you and the rest of Guyana, a Christmas that is filled with joy, peace and the everlasting presence of God throughout this season and always.….”

In honouring the memory of the massacre victims, he urged that those gathered, pray for the continued safety and security of the people of Bartica and the country as a whole. He noted that, following the disastrous incident, the community of Bartica has been further strengthened and united.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Hinds recalled the painful events of February 2008 at Bartica and January 28 at Lusignan on the East Coast of Demerara. He noted that three years have passed since those two “sad occasions when we, as a country, were severely tested, but have survived”. 

This prompted Mr. Hinds to posit: “Hope springs eternally in mankind’s breast.”

“It is appropriate that today we dedicate this Monument of Hope,” he added while taking note of what happened almost three years ago. 

He stressed the need for greater security in the country and assured that Government has been working towards allocating greater resources to our security forces.

The Prime Minister pointed out that work is being done on improving training and capability of ranks to handle situations such as the tragedy that occurred at Bartica three years ago, and elsewhere in the country.

Additionally, the Prime Minister said Government is working towards “beefing-up support” for the police. In this regard, he said the Guyana Defence Force is collaborating with the Police Force, working to foster greater partnership and community awareness of the ordinary citizens’ need to be aware of issues of security and peace.

Ms. Ayaana Caldeira, GGI’s Community Services Relations Officer, said of the Monument:  “It is a place of reflection, introspection, quietude and serenity…it signifies that Bartica will always be strong, resilient and prosperous.” 

Alluding to Bartica as the ‘soul of Guyana’s wealth creation and economic ascendancy’, the message, on a note of encouragement, adds: “Hope will always spring eternal, as hope is the dream of a soul aware.”

Constructed on a plot of land donated by the Anglican Diocese of Guyana, the Monument of Hope was heavily financed by Mr. Sheridan -whose brainchild it was- with support by the government and people of Canada; the families of the deceased; Ms. Violet Smith and Hopkinson Mining Inc; the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council and the Regional Democratic Council.

The Guyana Goldfields Inc.’s description of the monument reads thus: “The Monument of Hope is a 13 ft black marble memorial sculpture that was commissioned by Guyana Goldfields, designed in Canada and manufactured in India, after a year of searching in Guyana. It weighs 21,000 pounds and its four bronze plaques each weigh 65 pounds.  It is situated on the land graciously gifted by the Diocese of Guyana and sits across from the Anglican Church of Bartica …”
“The black colour of the monument represents the mystery of what occurred that fateful night. Black also represents the presence of all colours. Associated with the water element, black promotes self confidence and independence. Bronze used for the plaques is brownish gold in colour. Brown is the natural down-to-earth neutral colour which represents steadfastness, simplicity, friendliness, hard work and dependability…all qualities of native Barticians. Gold represents that abundant wealth that Bartica brings to national development.”
The cutting of the ceremonial ribbon and the official hand over were done by Mrs. Debra Gilkes.