What the 50th Independence Arch means to Agricola
Jul 10, 2016 , By Feona Morrison, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....h-means-to-agricola/
A week ago, I was standing at the Agricola Road Head, East Bank Demerara when I overheard a group of young men talking about how they were proud that the 50th Independence Arch was erected in the community.
The 50th Independence Arch at Agricola
To be honest, I felt happy because that was one of the few times I heard someone say something positive about the community. However, that conversation between the young men left me wondering if other persons in the community had the same views about the arch which was financed by corporate Guyana.
I was prompted to walk around the village to ask persons their views about the structure which was unveiled to the public by President David Granger on May 20, last.
Most times persons in Agricola are reluctant to speak with the media.
But surprisingly, last Thursday, my attempts at getting persons to talk went well. I spoke with several persons, both young and old. They all were eager to express their views.
Before I go into the interviews, here is a brief background of the Agricola Independence Arch.
It is 27 metres in width and consists of four parts, including a crown at the top which includes a flagpole. VSH United was the company contracted for the Agricola Independence Arch Project which cost approximately US$50,000.
The project was undertaken for the Independence Golden Jubilee and was a collaborative effort between Banks DIH, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). Banks DIH donated the arch.
Elwin McRae, who has been living in Agricola for the past 24 years, said that a piece of Guyana’s history is now in the community and everyone should be appreciative of it.
She said that the community has been stigmatized over the years because of crime.
“Things have calmed down here a lot. You ain’t hearing about no shoot-out, robberies or police running in people house and yard and killing.”
McRae explained that the unveiling of the arch by the President is a day she will always remember. The woman explained that many residents of Agricola and immediate communities all came out in unity. She added,
“This rarely happens here. Many youths came out to the unveiling even the elderly.”
Another resident, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, stated that he was very excited when he got news that the independence arch would be erected in the community. The pensioner added that “things like this” makes him proud to be a Guyanese.
“I couldn’t remember the exact date when the arch was to be open. Is them lil children come and telling that the President just come and that they opening the Arch just now. I was listening to the radio. I just throw on my clothes and hurry down the road…I couldn’t miss it, my sister…I couldn’t.”
He added that he was really overjoyed with the opening ceremony and the remarks made by the President.
The 50th Independence Arch serves as a prominent landmark illuminating the southern entrance, into and out of Georgetown. The arch is not unique, since several arches were built across the country to celebrate Independence in 1966.
Research done revealed that arches to commemorate the country’s independence were built in Leonora, New Amsterdam, Bagotville and Ruimveldt just to name a few, in those days.
Shamar Patrick, a 14-year-old footballer, said that he was glad to be alive to witness the historic moment. He pointed out that our ancestors fought hard to achieve independence from the British and we must always remember this as we move on to celebrate more years of being an independent nation.
Patrick said that as far as he could remember, this was the first time that he saw the President in the community.
“Me and my friends were at the unveiling and we were very happy to see the President and his Ministers.” The youngster said that he read that officials were looking to reinstall the original arch that was removed to facilitate the expansion of the East Bank Demerara road in 2004.
However, he said that although they were unable to locate it, contractors managed to put together a “state of the art” structure that will forever be embedded in the history of Agricola.
Several other residents shared similar sentiments about this landmark.
“A city should be built with the bricks of peace and bound with the mortar of prosperity,” President Granger quoted from the Bible during his remarks at the unveiling ceremony of the Independence Arch.
