Much talk and little action in Bartica

This week we asked residents of Bartica to share with us concerns and views about their township.

Photos and interviews 
by Marcelle Thomas

Holbert Knights – Teacher
‘In Bartica there is much going on especially now that the political campaign season is on. The politicians come to Bartica and everyone makes big promises campaigning on youth development because they know that is what Barticians want to hear. However over the 19 years that the incumbent PPP/C has been in power there has been nothing significant to say or show that they have done for the youths and I am vexed. Now the irony too is that everyone is talking youths and none is on the platform and even if they do none will be from Bartica. I think Bartica needs an excellent strategic youth development programme that will look at education and the overall development of our youths. Most party and see the mining life as their career. Internal and external examination results are atrocious.’

Stephen Belle- Hotelier
‘Bartica has developed tremendously over the years. However I think with that development came many vehicles and it is congested in first and second avenues which is the main business area in Bartica.  I think that the roads should be made one way in opposite directions to ease on the buildup. Also sanitation needs to be looked at there has to be some sanitation management. The dump is right near to a booming housing development scheme so it should be moved from just a stone’s throw from people’s homes. There is no youth and sport development also so that needs development in an effort to reduce policing work due to possible criminal acts that might lean towards not having anything to do. The power station too was built at a time when the output was less, now it’s in the heart of Bartica the commercial area and the noise and pollutants coming from there is hazardous.’

Elizabeth Wilkinson- Businesswoman
‘Garbage is my biggest problem. It begins from here at the arcade. The sellers from Parika come and use the place and leave all their rubbish. No one cleans here. When they hear the president coming everybody run and cleaning like mad. Well I will tell them, president or not, from tomorrow everyone will have to clean their rubbish because it seems only the president people have respect for. I don’t care if me and them get it out. We also need better roads here. The roads small, well some I will call a dam cause some wash away. If we don’t get roads now when will we get it?’

Christopher George:  Self Employed
`A major problem in Bartica is the dumpsite. It is in a terrible state. Traversing by transportation it’s a hindrance. Animals like the cows and so go in and pull the rubbish out to the road. Nothing seems to be doing we have been complaining a long time. Two, the roads in Bartica are terrible. Potholes galore in some and all we get are promises to fix them. We don’t want promises we want changes. Another humbug is the traffic congestion in First and Second Avenue. I think they should make them one way roads. Officials in charge have to remember that Bartica then isn’t Bartica now.  Everyone owns a vehicle here and sometimes it’s best just to walk.’

Ron Ghanie – Public Servant Employee
‘In Bartica the road from One Mile to the secondary school stretch is in a state and needs addressing urgently. The garbage situation is getting worse and worse and it would be nice if it can be fixed. In house little things we can fix ourselves and we have because we always hear that funds are limited but with the bigger things we need help’.

Elroy Joe Roads – Self Employed
‘We need roads. One should take a look around. They would be shocked to know that the quarry is so near and that’s the condition of our roads. It’s shameful. Another issue is the GPL power station. It is in the middle of the busiest shopping and business area on First Avenue and should be moved. That needs to be addressed urgently or people will become sick. Water in Bartica is also a problem not only the flow but the quality. You can’t think once about using it for drinking. It is full of sediments, it brown. This is because there is no proper water purification and filtration system. Youths too need to be looked at. I feel troubled for the youths they need something to do.’

Rosina Charles- Housewife

‘Where I am from in Bartica there is no water and the roads horrible. I have to fetch water into where I live and it tires me out and the colour like creek water but it is from the pipe. I want them to look into the condition of the roads. They should also look into having a school bus for children who have to travel long distances to school. The children of parents like me who don’t have a vehicle suffer waiting on the bus because they feel that everyone has a car and my children end up late many days. They should also check the garbage on the road that smelling stink. They have to control that dump nothing is being done and it could get the people sick when the rainy season begins.’

Candace Weekes- Businesswoman
`The Hospital in Bartica needs up-to-date equipment. It needs development. If there is any emergency you have to go to town. When my children get sick I have to travel all the way to town. The nurses are good but they don’t have the equipment they need. Simple things like oxygen you have to travel all the way to Georgetown for. Everything else to me is okay everyone lives loving and all is well.’

Chelsea Loncke- Self Employed
`I am a youth and I think that youth issues need addressing. There isn’t much for youths to do here even after school. There are many promises of youth development but nothing seems to be coming forthright. Also the issue of roads here, when the President comes they don’t drive him by the bad road you know, they drive him on the good road. We need the road especially at Four Miles to be developed. The water too is a problem you can’t even wash black clothes some days how it so dirty. Solid waste management is also an issue and the dumpsite is evidence of this. It is a health epidemic waiting to happen’.

Alden Marslowe -Photographer
‘Whoever is in government at whatever time needs to look at youth development in Bartica. We heard about trades schools, playfields and others developmental areas and yet we don’t see anything. I feel as if at election time everyone comes and makes promises, it’s the usual rhetoric. Looking after the needs of the people we feel left out. We don’t want to see their faces but if the people on the ground here can represent us we would feel good. That too isn’t done.’