Bartica declares support for PPP/C
April 12, 2015 By
– residents promised improved power, better airstrip, roads – says it wants development to continue, other woes addressed
By Devina Samaroo
Hundreds of Guyanese on Saturday turned out to the massive rally held by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) which is considered to be the gateway to the interior where they declared support their support for the re-elected of a PPP/C Government with a majority. But residents also called on the party to address several of their concerns as they pressed for continued development and progress as opposed to change. During their rally, the PPP/C presented several plans they have for future development in the region. Prime Minister with Responsibility for Energy Samuel Hinds noted that the government intends to establish a new and improved power station with larger capacity to fix the electricity woes and to better service the community of Bartica.
Infrastructural plans
Hundreds turned out to a rally organised by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in Bartica, Region Seven on Saturday to listen to President Donald Ramotar’s address
Additionally, Transport and Harbour Minister Robeson Benn also reveal plans to invest heavily into the development of the Bartica Airstrip in order to ensure it is in an up-to-standard condition. In addition to that improvement, he said the Government intends to create a new waiting area in the vicinity of the airport in providing for the comfort of passengers. While not addressing the concerns of the roadways right in the heart of Bartica, the Minister did promise to improve on the main access roads to various hinterland areas. For example, he promised that the PPP/C will continue to work on the maintennace of the Potaro, Itabali and Piruni roads. But the biggest annoucnement under the party’s infrastructural plans for the region includes the development of a Parika-Bartica Roadway. In fact, he disclosed that the Delconte Road is already under feasibility studies to ensure everything is intact for the establishment of this roadway. Government also intends to open up a trail from Sandhills on the Demerara River to the other side of the bank, according to Minister Benn. He assured as well that they will complete the road from Bartica four-mile leading to the airstrip. The Minister also underscored the heavy focus government has given to the gold mining sector, highlighting the progress with the Kiruni Gold Project on Potaro River and the Aurora Gold Mines. President Donald Ramotar in his address, also emphasised on the importance of mining to the community of Bartica, as he promised to ensure fair and equal opportunities for both large scale and small scale miners. He assured that Government, once reelected, will review the mining laws to ensure small scale miners can acquire land to do their own mining without having to get permission from the bigger companies. As it relates to the housing sector, Government officials spoke highly about the transformation in this regard with the development of three new housing schemes since the PPP/C took office. At the rally, the PPP/C vowed to improve the already existing housing schemes as they disclosed plans to develop more in the near future.
Progress, development
A section of the gathering at the rally
But even as the PPP/C campaign trail hit Bartica, the rapidly developing community, its residents underscored the need for better facilities and services. Arguably, there is no doubt that the community drastically transformed under the current Administration’s regime and is well on its way to earning a township status. But while the economic side of things reflects positively, residents complained of basic needs being neglected. Speaking with the Guyana Times shortly before the massive PPP/C rally commenced, Dwayne Benjamin, a local taxi driver, vented his frustration over the underdeveloped roads. He explained that, for a community that is on the journey to township, the roads are in a terrible state. Indeed so, the main access road on First Avenue Bartica exhibited many potholes. Benjamin cried that the drivers usually have to spend a lot of money unnecessarily to repair their vehicles when they are damaged as a result from travelling on the roads. Some taxi operators even resort to driving on the paves in order to avoid falling into the huge holes in the road. The taxi driver acknowledged that the heavy duty trucks that pass through the area contribute to the roads’ destruction and called on the authorities to have systems in place to repair the roads on a regular basis. He disclosed that the local business community would often come together to fill the holes with cement, but that solution is merely temporary as the roads are once again destroyed if a truck passes or if it rains. Residents also complained about the uncontrollable garbage situation. They pointed out, with disgust, the build up of garbage at the kokers and canals. One resident, Sanjay Rampersaud, noted that this disaster often leads to severe flooding in the area, especially when it rains heavily or if there are high tides. While he acknowledged that the residents have to develop zero tolerance for littering, Rampersaud recommended the authorities put the measures in place to enforce the anti-littering laws. Moving along, while Bartica is doing well in its education sector, others seem to think there is room for much more improvement. Akeem who is a father of one, noted that there are not enough facilities to accommodate afterschool studying activities, pointing out that Bartica needs a library to facilitate researching aspect of the education aqcuisition process. He pleaded with the Government to look into this situation as he is of the belief that a sound education is the key to success in all other departments. Meanwhile, one aspect that annoys almost everyone travelling is the unmoderised systems at the Bartica stelling. In fact, several persons voiced the need for an immediate upgrade to the stelling. As it is now, there are no safety hazards but operators opined that the Government should not wait until the structure reaches that state before they make a move to fix it.
Praises Other residents praised the ruling Administration for the work it has done within the region and the fact that are now more access to opportunities there for students and youths than at any other time in the history of the country. One resident remarked that he was proud of the work done by the Government in the area of education and health while noting that now residents can access better and improved health care at little or no expense. Other spoke of the improved security situation in the region and the work done by the PPP/C under both Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar to boost the security profile of the region following the brutal Bartica Massacre. “I know people will complain about some things. I recognise we still need more development but I would be lying to say that the Government, the PPP/C as party has not done a lot for us. I know they have lots more to do”, another supporter told this newspaper during the rally.
