Technology finally catches up with Kaieteur
Written by Clifford Stanley
Monday, 26 September 2011 01:27
Source - Guyana Chronicle
Presidential Adviser and PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar (at right) and German Ambassador to Guyana, Stefan Schlueter shaking hands after unveiling the plaque to officially commission the $54M visitor’s arrival centre at the Kaieteur National Park.
SOME 141 years after the ‘discovery’ of the majestic Kaieteur by geologist Barrington Browne, the first ever landline telephone call was made from its location to Georgetown, amidst pledges to balance the demands of tourism and conservation, and disclosures of additional enhancements to facilitate even more attractiveness for visitors.
The call was made during the commissioning ceremony of the $54M visitor arrival centre, and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph landline, by Adviser to the President, Donald Ramotar, amidst cheers from all gathered for the occasion. Mr. Ramotar spoke to his wife on this initial call.
The Kaieteur National Park Visitor Arrival Centre was constructed with funds from the Government of Germany under a small grants component of the Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) Project.
The centre is a unique complex with facilities for an interactive display, craft store, waiting area, dining area, restroom, improved communication, and properly constructed footpaths and walkways to and from the waterfall.
The ceremony at Kaieteur top was attended by several senior government officials and dignitaries.
They included Donald Ramotar, Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Ms Pauline Sukhai, former Local Government Minister Harripersaud Nokta, Chairman Kaieteur National Park Board Shyam Nokta, Chairman National Parks Commission John Caesar, Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh, General Manager of the NPC Youlanda Vasconcellos and senior staffers, Toshao Chenapou village Sylvester Joseph, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Indranauth Haralsingh, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall, Team Leader of the Consultants to the Project Ben ter Welle, and German Ambassador to Guyana Strefan Schlueter.
The newly commissioned $54M visitor’s arrival centre in the Kaieteur National Park
There were also several villagers from nearby Chenapou and Menzies Landing on hand for the historic occasion.
In a feature address Donald Ramotar hailed the Kaieteur Falls as a national treasure and urged that efforts being made to accommodate increasing amounts of foreign and local tourists should go hand in hand with efforts at protecting the pristine environment and rich bio-diversity of the area.
“I have seen the beauty of not only Kaieteur Falls, but of several other areas of Guyana,” he said, stressing that government will continue to play its part in protection and conservation.
He said, “We have passed the Protected Areas Act, but that alone will not be enough. The best form of protection of our natural riches is lifting the consciousness of our people on the importance of preserving the environment.”
He thanked the government of Germany for their funding of the KVAC, and GT&T for the provision of the first ever telephone service for the area.
Youlanda Vasconcellos disclosed that the centre makes the site more visitor friendly and would also serve to increase awareness about the KNP and the efforts to keep the balance between tourism and conservation.
It will also complement other revenue generating activities related to tourism and provide gainful employment for many.
Mr. Shyam Nokta revealed that the Centre will serve as a point of orientation for visitors providing vital information as well as other services to enhance visitor experience, and encourage spending for revenue generation for the park and the neighbouring communities.
The centre was a continuation of an ongoing programme to incrementally increase the facilities at Kaieteur.
He disclosed that there has been a one hundred per cent increase in the number of visitors to Kaieteur from 2001 to 2010.
“We see Kaieteur Top as a central hub, offering tourism facilities linked to the Tukeit Guest House and to the guest house at Chenapou, as part of a comprehensive range of facilities to encourage visitors to the park as well as surrounding areas.
Next in line for Kaieteur Top is the establishment of eco lodges and full internet connectivity.
Mr. Whittaker said that the opening of the centre and the establishment of communications were notable and welcome developments within the tourism sector.
He said that it will allow Guyanese a better appreciation of the country’s natural heritage.
He joined with others in calling for the care and protection of the newly commissioned facilities.
German Ambassador Stefan Schlueter pledged the continued assistance of the German Government in helping Guyana to protect and preserve its natural heritage.
The formal ceremony also included unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion.
This was done by Ramotar and Schlueter.
The plaque bears the Coat of Arms of the Guyanese and German Governments and the words: The Kaieteur National Park Visitor Arrival Centre: a development project of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KFW opened on September 25th 2011.
Written by Clifford Stanley
Monday, 26 September 2011 01:27
Source - Guyana Chronicle
Presidential Adviser and PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar (at right) and German Ambassador to Guyana, Stefan Schlueter shaking hands after unveiling the plaque to officially commission the $54M visitor’s arrival centre at the Kaieteur National Park.SOME 141 years after the ‘discovery’ of the majestic Kaieteur by geologist Barrington Browne, the first ever landline telephone call was made from its location to Georgetown, amidst pledges to balance the demands of tourism and conservation, and disclosures of additional enhancements to facilitate even more attractiveness for visitors.
The call was made during the commissioning ceremony of the $54M visitor arrival centre, and the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph landline, by Adviser to the President, Donald Ramotar, amidst cheers from all gathered for the occasion. Mr. Ramotar spoke to his wife on this initial call.
The Kaieteur National Park Visitor Arrival Centre was constructed with funds from the Government of Germany under a small grants component of the Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS) Project.
The centre is a unique complex with facilities for an interactive display, craft store, waiting area, dining area, restroom, improved communication, and properly constructed footpaths and walkways to and from the waterfall.
The ceremony at Kaieteur top was attended by several senior government officials and dignitaries.
They included Donald Ramotar, Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Ms Pauline Sukhai, former Local Government Minister Harripersaud Nokta, Chairman Kaieteur National Park Board Shyam Nokta, Chairman National Parks Commission John Caesar, Major General (Rtd) Joe Singh, General Manager of the NPC Youlanda Vasconcellos and senior staffers, Toshao Chenapou village Sylvester Joseph, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Indranauth Haralsingh, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Nigel Dharamlall, Team Leader of the Consultants to the Project Ben ter Welle, and German Ambassador to Guyana Strefan Schlueter.
The newly commissioned $54M visitor’s arrival centre in the Kaieteur National ParkThere were also several villagers from nearby Chenapou and Menzies Landing on hand for the historic occasion.
In a feature address Donald Ramotar hailed the Kaieteur Falls as a national treasure and urged that efforts being made to accommodate increasing amounts of foreign and local tourists should go hand in hand with efforts at protecting the pristine environment and rich bio-diversity of the area.
“I have seen the beauty of not only Kaieteur Falls, but of several other areas of Guyana,” he said, stressing that government will continue to play its part in protection and conservation.
He said, “We have passed the Protected Areas Act, but that alone will not be enough. The best form of protection of our natural riches is lifting the consciousness of our people on the importance of preserving the environment.”
He thanked the government of Germany for their funding of the KVAC, and GT&T for the provision of the first ever telephone service for the area.
Youlanda Vasconcellos disclosed that the centre makes the site more visitor friendly and would also serve to increase awareness about the KNP and the efforts to keep the balance between tourism and conservation.
It will also complement other revenue generating activities related to tourism and provide gainful employment for many.
Mr. Shyam Nokta revealed that the Centre will serve as a point of orientation for visitors providing vital information as well as other services to enhance visitor experience, and encourage spending for revenue generation for the park and the neighbouring communities.
The centre was a continuation of an ongoing programme to incrementally increase the facilities at Kaieteur.
He disclosed that there has been a one hundred per cent increase in the number of visitors to Kaieteur from 2001 to 2010.
“We see Kaieteur Top as a central hub, offering tourism facilities linked to the Tukeit Guest House and to the guest house at Chenapou, as part of a comprehensive range of facilities to encourage visitors to the park as well as surrounding areas.
Next in line for Kaieteur Top is the establishment of eco lodges and full internet connectivity.
Mr. Whittaker said that the opening of the centre and the establishment of communications were notable and welcome developments within the tourism sector.
He said that it will allow Guyanese a better appreciation of the country’s natural heritage.
He joined with others in calling for the care and protection of the newly commissioned facilities.
German Ambassador Stefan Schlueter pledged the continued assistance of the German Government in helping Guyana to protect and preserve its natural heritage.
The formal ceremony also included unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion.
This was done by Ramotar and Schlueter.
The plaque bears the Coat of Arms of the Guyanese and German Governments and the words: The Kaieteur National Park Visitor Arrival Centre: a development project of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KFW opened on September 25th 2011.