Bartica Supplement

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Bartica, the town --One year on

CLOSE to a year after being declared a town by President David Granger, Bartica is well on its way to becoming the first “green” town in the country.

Millions of dollars have been pumped into the town to aid its transformation,

while tackling critical issues such as the poor waste disposal management system which had plagued the residents of Byderabo for decades.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Bartica’s Deputy Mayor, Ms Nageshwari

Kamal Persaud readily admitted that the dumpsite at Byderabo was a major health and environmental hazard.

“Garbage was literally overflowing to the road when we took office last year, and this is an area where people live,” Ms Persaud recalled. The stench was unbearable, she said.

“There was no proper system in place; people back then just dumped garbage anywhere, and that had created a major problem. But today, all that has been resolved,” Madame Deputy Mayor said.

Back in July 2016, she said, the Council managed to secure $20M from Central Government to restore the dumpsite, and establish a long-term plan for the relocation of the landfill site to 12 and 14 Miles up the Potaro Road, given that Byderabo is a residential area.

“I am happy to say that the Byderabo Dumpsite is now fenced and monitored,” the Deputy Mayor

One year ago, this area was highly vegetated. Today it’s months away from being commissioned as the first ever ‘green’ park in Bartica. (Photo by Collin Joseph)

For the Bartica Mayor and Town Council, the rehabilitation of the Byderabo Dumpsite is a major achievement, she said, given the significance of the problem.

“I am very proud of the achievements through the Bartica Town Council,” the Deputy said, adding:

of the Band Stands and the construction of a multi-million-dollar park in the West Indian Housing Scheme.

According to the Town Clerk, Ms Phebe Wallerson, the $31M ‘green’ recreational park in the West Indian Housing Scheme is more than 90 per cent completed, and is soon to

Bartica’s Deputy Mayor, Ms Nageshwari Kamal Persaud

The new and improved Byderabo Dumpsite (Photo by Collin Joseph)

reported.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! “In fact, there is a maintenance crew that operates there not only a daily basis but on a weekly basis to control the manner in which the garbage is dumped,” she said, the feeling of accomplishment evident in her voice.

“The works that have been done through the constituencies, not just in Byderabo, are a testimony of our commitment; a testimony of the hard work of the Mayor and Councilors, and the supporting staff.”

Another major project the Council has taken on since taking office is the Greening and Beautification Project, which includes the rehabilitation

be commissioned.

“There is still some landscaping work that needs to be done; we are planning to commission it on the very anniversary of our township, so it will be commissioned on May 7, 2017,” Ms Wallerson explained.

‘GREEN’ SPACES The ‘green’ park, the first of its kind for Bartica,

is being powered by solar energy, and comprises a three-tier fountain, a playground with walkways, benches, benabs, arched (kissing) bridges, and a ‘green’ space for trees.

The water for the fountain is being sourced from a natural fresh-water spring that was found at the backlands, while the mechanics of fountain itself has been engineered to function like a waterfall in motion.

Wallerson said the park, when opened, will create safe spaces where residents can hold barbecues, receptions, weddings, anniversary celebrations and other public events.

She said while there were residents who objected to the park in the past, many of them are now on board with the Council.

“That was a complete swamp,” Wallerson said of the site where the park is located. “When the initial works began,” she said, “at the time I wasn’t attached to the Council, but I, too, had my skepticism as to how they were going to actually transform this area into a park.

“So I think the first achievement is the vision that went into this project.

As residents, many of us could not see where the Council was going with it at the time.”

The community in

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Out and about in Four Miles --where life couldn’t get any better FOUR miles away from the hustle and bustle, on the outskirt of central Bartica, lies a community where residents are no longer waiting around for jobs in the public sector; or even the mining industry for that matter.

In the Four Miles Housing Scheme, which is situated along the Potaro Road in the town of Bartica, residents are creating employment of their own, capitalising on other traditional and not-so-traditional fields, from agriculture to housing.

“Years ago, people in Bartica depended heavily on the mining sector. Many went into the ‘Interior’; others remained in the public sector, and others set up cook shops, hotels and even clothes stores, all suited for the mining industry,” Debra Brown said.

Brown, the constituency representative, posited that while many still depend heavily on the two primary sectors, the economy is gradually diversifying.

A case in point, she said, is communities like the Four Miles Housing Scheme where residents are turning more to agriculture, housing, tourism, social services and even the water industry to generate employment.

Constituency Seven Representative, Ms Debra Brown

that particular fruit had approximately 12 pounds, many of the soursops on the farm average about 20lbs.

In addition to fruits, Sash said his brother-in-law, who employs men from the neighborhood during harvesting time, plants a wide range of cash-crops. These include wiri-wiri pepper, tiger-teeth pepper, sweet potatoes, cassava, yam, squash, egg-plant, pumpkin, cucumber and bora among many other vegetable.

“We have a stall in the market at Bartica, but we sell to a lot of business places. We supply the Chinese restaurants, the Brazilians, the Hospital, and ‘The Dorms’,”

water behind here,” Soamnauth said.

He further explained that while those in the community proper are able to access water, those on the fringes of the scheme are unable to do so because of low pressure and leakages.

As a result, they are made to buy water, for as much as $8,000 a tank, whenever the need arises.

Forty-two-year-old Melissa Sue, whose husband is a farmer, said that while there is a lucrative market at Four Miles, her husband experiences similar difficulties with respect to access to water.

“My husband would mainly do the planting; right now, we have bora, pumpkin, squash, cucumber and

vides fresh fruits, ground provision and vegetables to the restaurants, hotels, the hospital and dormitory in Central Bartica.

Ms Patricia ‘Dawn’ Hall with one of her creations

BOTTLED TO GO! The father of two, Onesimus Griffith is now providing residents with purified bottled water.

“I started this business in January; it is a little investment I put into place, and it cost me like three million dollars,” Griffith told the Guyana Chronicle while standing outside his ‘Progressive Youth Crystallite Purified Water’ establishment.

Griffith’s vision of providing his community with

FARM-FRESH Obindernauth’s son, Sash, said approximately four years ago, his brother-in-law, Premnauth Soamnauth, a former Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) employee, began farming on the land.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the farm, the trees were laden with fruits such as pears, mangoes, oranges,

purification system and had an expert install it. Now, he is providing residents with purified water from a nearby well.

“I recently purchased a PH tester to test the water,” he said, “and the test shows that the water is very good. People have been giving me reviews about the water and they say it tastes great.”

The budding entrepreneur also owns a radio system that provides calls to the ‘Interior’ at a small fee.

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Sunil Singh, a family-friend of the Obindernauths, picking one of the many soursops; in this case, the 12-pounder at reference

Sash said.

“Every day, we provide them with fresh fruits and vegetables,” he added.

When the demand is high, or when buyers are demanding fruits and vegetables that are not readily available at a given time, Sash said they would purchase from other farmers in the neighbourhood.

Onesimus Griffith at his ‘Progressive Youth Crystallite Purified Water’ establishment

About seven years ago, Ramkumar Obindernauth’s 10 acres of land on the border of Four Miles Housing Scheme was merely demarcated with coconut trees. Today, it pro-

soursops, sugar apples, custard apples, cashews and coconuts just to name a few.

Pointing to what he described as a ‘medium- size’ soursop, Sash said that while

WATER SHORTAGE However, his brother-inlaw, Soamnauth, who manages the farm, said the lack of water can be a real bother at times.

“The mix weather is good: A little rain; a little sun, that is good! But too much dry weather would dry up the crops, because we don’t get

tomato now coming up... And pepper,” Mrs Sue said as she walked through the family’s 12-acre plot of prime farmland with her children.

Like the Soamnauths, the Sues also have a wide variety of fruit trees. They sell to residents in the community.

Including the Soamnauths!

On a light day, Mrs Sue said, she and her children would cook-out on the farm while enjoying the peace and tranquility of Four Miles Housing Scheme.

A short distance away from where the farming activities are taking shape, another industry is popping up in the community.

Sash Obindernauth standing in a small section of the 10-acre plot where squash is grown

purified water was born more than two years ago. “It just came to me like that more than two years ago,” the young entrepreneur said, adding: “So I bought a ‘Canter’ and started selling water for people to bathe, and clean and farm.”

After generating sufficient money, he next bought a water

“People would come here and make calls, contact their families in the ‘Interior’, and I know how important that is,” Onesimus said.

CONCRETE IDEAS A stone’s throw away from Griffith’s, 63-year-old

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

‘Radio Bartica’ near ready --all set for May opening

PREPARATORY work for the establishment of a radio station in Bartica is moving apace, according to Director of Public Information, Mr Imran Khan.

The multi-million-dollar,

state-of-the-art facility is expected to serve the more than 15, 000 residents of Bartica, in addition to those in outlying communities not only in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni District, but in Region 10 (Upper De-

merara-Berbice) as well.

Among areas in Region that will be serviced are Goshen and Rivers View, both of which are close to Bartica.

In a brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Khan disclosed that the project for the renovation of sections of the Bartica Research Centre,

The Community Radio Project team along with regional officials assessing the compound of the resource centre to determine the best location for the dish

The Bartica Resource Centre where the Radio Station will be housed

where the radio station will be housed, is currently open to tender until around the end of March.

He explained that major works will be done to the walls, ceiling and floor of the upper flat of the building, where the station will be located, to make it studio-ready.

The necessary equipment are also being procured.

“In the case of Bartica, it would require the installation of a tower and the transmitter, along with all the components

for the studio,” Khan said.

Residents of Bartica and neighbouring communities are being enlisted into the training programme. Following the training, those with broadcast potential will be shortlisted.

ALL SYSTEMS GO Khan is optimistic that all systems will be in place for the launching of the radio station in May to mark Bartica’s first anniversary as a town.

Last month, Khan paid an

onsite visit to Bartica. He was accompanied by Coordinator for the Community Radio Project and Consultant to the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr Rovin Deodat, and Assistant Production Manager (Studios) of the National Communications Network (NCN), Devon Roberts.

The community-oriented radio station, Khan explained, will be established via a “three-way partnership”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Steeped in history

--St. John the Baptist Anglican Church DID you know that the St. John the Baptist Anglican Church is the oldest church in Bartica? Or for that matter that Bartica was formerly known as Bartica

Grove?

In fact, Bartica Grove, which took its name from the Amerindian word, Bartica or ‘red earth’, was one of the earliest Anglican missionary

settlements in the then British Guiana.

In 1843, seven years after the Bishop of Barbados paid a visit to Bartica, a church that was built in honour of

Mr Eustace Boyan and his wife, Arlene

The monument erected in the church-yard in honour of The Reverend Pierce and his family who perished on the Essequibo River while on a mission (Photo by Collin Joseph)

St. John the Baptist was consecrated by the Bishop of Guiana.

The wooden structure was built along the bank of the Essequibo River in the area now known as Triangle Street.

“Because of the establishment of the Parish of

the Anglican Church, families who lived along the Mazaruni River came to take up residence in Bartica,” says Lydia Elizabeth Moonsammy.

“They came not only for church attendance, but mainly to access schooling for their children, since it

was also the Anglicans who started the first school in Bartica,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

CHRONICLING THE HISTORY Moonsammy, who at-

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Out and about...

Mr Desmond Stoby makes concrete blocks for a living.

“When I came in here to live about eight years ago, I started making blocks, because a lot of people were building during that time,” Mr Stoby recalled.

Back then, he would make more than 300 concrete blocks per day, but business has slowed down of late, and as such he currently makes a little over 100 blocks per day.

“Two or three years ago, business became a little slow; only one-and-two people would come and order blocks,” he said.

He only makes six, four and three-inch blocks, but his neighbour, Ms Patricia ‘Dawn’ Hall, baby-sits some of the children in the community while building on her passion for the arts.

“I am a caregiver, but I love craft,” Ms Hall said, adding that she’d been helping her mother since a child with her differently abled sister. And now that their mother has died, it is she who is taking care of her sister.

“I can’t work as per normal, so while at home, I would baby-sit some children in the community until their parents get home from work,” she

said.

But while she may enjoy taking care of the little ones, Hall says that deep inside she has a flair; a passion for craft.

“I don’t get to do as much craftwork as I want to because I have to babysit, but I am working on a collection for the Regatta,” she said.

Her collection of chair cushions will be on display during the Annual Easter Regatta in Central Bartica.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

From Page 11

And while the residents of Four Miles Housing Scheme are satisfied with the paths they have chosen, it is their belief that the community could be further developed to include better roads with drains, and a play field for the children.

To date, the community boasts a health centre, two churches, and a newly-built nursery school that is soon to be opened.

Mr Desmond Stoby and his son, Shem, making blocks for sale

Bartica... which the park can be found, she said, is home to hundreds of children, so they all would be able to benefit from its many facilities.

POWERING IT UP In February, news of another major investment unfolded: The using of renewable energy to power street lights and the Three Miles Secondary School.

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Climate Change Office was able to secure a US$300, 000 grant under the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership

programme to execute the project in Bartica.

“LED street lights will be installed from One to Four Miles, and this is a first for the people living there, because, right now, they have none,” said Chairman of the Council’s Finance Committee, Mr Kenneth Williams.

Additionally, 12 solar street lights will be installed at strategic locations in Bartica, while solar panels would be used to power the Three Mile Secondary School, in particular the

From Page 12 dorms.

The final aspect of the project is the training of six youths from the town to install, repair and maintain the solar panels. This project is expected to be rolled out within the next two months.

Aside from these projects, Bartica, like many other towns and communities across the country, is benefiting from a series of infrastructural projects, such as the rehabilitation of several main and internal roads, and the installation of much-needed drains.

Bartica’s Town Clerk, Ms Phebe Wallerson (second left) and three of the Council’s 18 members who often work beyond the call of duty to get things done.

They are, from left: Mr Lloyd Garraway; Ms Hazel Allicock; and Mr Mark Ambrose

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Miss Bartica Regatta

Contestants to tackle major issues through platforms

EIGHT beautiful ladies are in the line-up for the much anticipated Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant set for April in town of Bartica.

Pageant Coordinator, Angelica Fredericks, who is no stranger to pageantry after being crowned Miss Bartica Regatta 2002 and Miss Town Day 2003, said through the highly-competitive event, the delegates will bring to the fore a number of serious social issues.

Currently, the delegates who are all Barticians are preparing for their community projects–the majority of which are in keeping with the green agenda being led by President David Granger.

However, it is only until March 26, 2017 that the points will begin to trickle in when

the Costume Extravaganza is held during the sashing ceremony. “The Costume Extravaganza is about them choosing

a costume that is either relevant to their platform or the green agenda,” the Pageant Coordinator explained.

Delegate No. 4 Miss Candia Paul

In April, days before the penultimate event, the intelligence segment would be conducted. “For this segment, the delegates will pull statements out of a bag and make an impromptu speech. They will think for two minutes and speak for one minute.”

The swim wear and

evening gown segments will take place on the night of the pageant.

Recently, Guyana Chronicle had the opportunity of meet with six of the eight delegates.

Delegate No. 1 – Shyan Beaton is a proud daughter of the soil with a passion for road safety.

She said it is sad to know

that persons are still reckless in their driving and as such, her platform is “the consequences of drinking and driving.”

“You can lose your license, you could pay a fine or you would probably have to live with the fact that you would have injured someone or taken

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Steeped in... tended St. John’s since a child with her grandmother, Catherine Garraway Boyan, has spent years chronicling the history of Bartica.

Her intention is to compile a book, dating back to 1829 when the Church Missionary Society established the area to conduct missionary work, to the present.

According to Ms Moonsammy, while the St. John’s has been in existence for close to two centiries, there is not much written history on its genesis and growth.

“Over the first century of its existence,” she said, “much was not really written

on the history of the Church; and some may have been journalled by priests and canons, but have not found their way into our history books.

“Most of what is known locally is drawn from the stories passed on from the generations of its Founding Families, many of whom have served in one capacity or another over the years in the parish, either as altar servers, lectors or vestry members.”

What is public knowledge, however, is that the church had a cemetery within its yard, but following the establishment of the Sorrow (Sarah) Hill Cemetery, it was

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017 “This was started in the 1960s; and upon completion of the new building, it was dedicated in March 1970.”

From Page 13 closed. Today, the tombs are a poignant reminder of what once was.

Also erected in the compound is a monument in honour of The Reverend Pierce and his family who perished amongst the rapids of the Essequibo River in the mid-19th Century whilst on a mission to minister to residents in a small community along its banks.

“With the coming of the famous priest, Father Dorman in the late 1950s,” Ms Moonsammy said, “the parish saw a revival; and plans were made to rehabilitate the old wooden structure using concrete.

BY SELF-HELP Seventy-one-year-old Mr Eustace Boyan, who’s a member of St John’s since he was nine, recalled that the church was rebuilt through self-help; that he and his wife, Arlene, were among members who helped in its reconstruction.

At the time it was rebuilt, he said, the church had a large following; but as Bartica continues to expand, some of the followers have opted to attend other denominations.

“On the first Sunday of the month; Mother’s Union Day, the church would have

a lot of people,” Mr Boyan said.

“It would be packed! But on regular days, many of the people you see are the older folks like us.”

Currently, St. John’s is headed by Father Alfred David, who is originally from the village of Kaburi, some 72 miles up the Potaro Road.

According to Father David, despite the changing trends, the church remains as relevant as it did 174 years ago when it was established.

According to him, on special occasions like Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, the church would be full to capacity; with over 300 persons. But during regular services, however, an aver-

age of 160 persons would be in attendance.

Additionally, the parish consists of 13 “daughter churches” in the Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni Rivers.

Notably, St. John’s has had a long line of priests and canons who have given distinguished service over the years.

These include Father Dorman, Canon Goodridge, Father Dick-Grant, and Father Roland among others.

In addition to the priests and canons, there were many other members who played critical roles in keeping the church alive.

Among those persons was the late Mr Oscar Smart, a long-time organist at the church.

The St. John the Baptist Anglican Church (Photo by Collin Joseph )

‘Radio Bartica’ near...

From Page 12

among the Office of the Prime Minister; the executing agency, NCN; and the Region.

In addition to local content, the station will be supported with content from NCN. “Outside of the local programmes, the station will carry NCN’s content; the national programmes, including the news, some of which you get through 98.1 and VOG,” he said.

“But now you will get a stronger signal and a wider reach, once the radio is set up,” he told regional officials during his visit.

Using the radio station, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Bartica Mayor and Town Council would be able to broadcast public information, while educating the populace of the rich history and culture of the region.

A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT Regional Chairman, Mr Gordon Bradford, upon hear-

ing the “good news” said it is a step in the right direction, and will serve the people well.

He said that currently, regional officials would have to either broadcast local information through NCN, or travel to the various communities in order to update themselves on developments within the region.

But when established, he said, the radio station will play a critical role in keeping residents informed. “It will help us tremendously, in terms of disseminating information, particularly to the riverine communities,” he told the project team. The Mayor of Bartica, Mr Gifford Marshall echoed similar sentiments.

“Communication, we will all agree, is the fuel of any progressive society; without such, democracy can easily be derailed. It allows for consultation, participation and inclusion of programmes and ideas,” Marshall posited.

But unfortunately, the work of the municipality, he said, is significantly hindered

due to the lack of effective and constant communication.

“We have long struggled with communicating our vision, programmes and developmental agenda to the people of Bartica,” Mayor Marshall said.

However, he noted that with the radio station coming on stream, the Council will be able to effectively communicate with its people.

“The community radio will be a major asset to the people of our town; it reflects Government’s commitment to the transformation of Bartica.

Our social, economic, and developmental landscape will be boosted,” he said.

In addition to Bartica, community-oriented radio stations will be established in Mahdia, Orealla and Aishalton for 2017 at a cost of $150M. In 2016, two radio stations were operationalised in Lethem and Mabaruma at a cost of approximately $50M.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Contestants to tackle major...

someone’s life,” Beaton said as alluded to the consequences.

“If you are going to drink, have a designated driver, call a taxi, it is as simple as that.”

In the lead up to the pageant, Beaton will be bringing awareness to the issue. Additionally, as part of her community project, she will erect a sign board in Constituency Seven, welcoming visitors and reminding them not to drink and drive.

Meanwhile, Delegate No. 3 of Mongrippa Hill Bartica, Lakeshia Christian is looking at the negative effects of suicide.

“Suicide is the act of deliberately ending your own life. Some people don’t understand that suicide does not end the chance of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of life ever getting better,” the 19-year-

old aspiring medex said.

Throughout her campaign, Christian would be reassuring the residents that there is hope and no need to commit suicide.

“If you know someone thinking of committing suicide, you should talk to them and get some professional help. Let that person know that suicide is never the answer.”

Delegate No. 4 is the very eloquent Candia Paul – an English teacher attached to the Bartica Secondary School. The 25-year-old beauty has been teaching for close to five years at the school.

Based on her observations in the classrooms, Paul’s platform is “the negative impact of technology on literacy in Bartica. Based on her assessment many of the children’s “reading and writing skills are poor.”

My platform is focus-

Delegate No. 3 Miss Lakeshia Christian

ing on the negative impact of technology on literacy in Bartica. Based on her observations in the classroom, many of the children’s “reading and writing skills are poor.”

“Technology is a helpful thing, no doubt, but in the hands of our children who are not using it wisely, it is creating quite a negative stir here in Bartica. You find persons basically using technology for social media use and they are posting all sort of negative pictures and comments instead of using it to help themselves, uplift themselves,” explained Paul.

She is of the option that technological devices such as smart phones, encourage use of short hand texting and do not allow for critical thinking.

“Our children no longer have to spell out words these days. They type in

Delegate No. 1 Miss Shyan Beaton

two letters and the entire word pops up,” the English teacher pointed out.

To promote literacy among children, Paul would be distributing a collection of books to a nursery school. She will also have reading sessions targeting the children.

Meanwhile, Delegate No. 5, Crystal Williams – a 17-year-old originally from Batavia, a neigbouring village will be looking at the issue of street harassment. She explained that Street Harassment is a form of sexual harassment that involves unwanted comments, ‘catcalling,’ and other unacceptable actions by strangers in public spaces.

“Street harassment limits people’s access to public spaces and lower their comfort level there,” she explained.

Additionally, the 17-year-old who is still in

From Page 15 school will be promoting the green agenda in the execution of her community project which specifically deals with proper waste management.

Child Labour is another issue that will take centre stage and Nalini Baptiste, Delegate No. 6 will be focusing her efforts on the “Effect of Child Labour in my community.”

The 17-year-old said enough is not being done to stop child labour.

“Child labour is the employment of child,” she posited.

According to her, “child labour deprives children of their childhood, interferes with their ability to attend regular school, and is mentally, physically, socially dangerous and harmful.

She too will be installing bins in the area.

Meanwhile, Dele-

Delegate No. 5 Crystal Williams Delegate No. 6 Miss Nalini Baptiste

gate No. 7, an 18-yearold teacher attached to the Bartica Secondary School, Leah Smith will be focusing on the “Importance of education in my community.”

Smith, who describes herself as outgoing and team player, said children are showing worrying signs that they no longer need education.

“Education is the basic for anything you would like to do, that is how you have doctors, you have nurses…it sets the foundation and without education we can’t see our community going anywhere. And if we are talking about development and all the things that we want to do then we must educate,” Smith emphasized.

Smith said while her platform is focused on education, her community project is aimed at beautifying the newly built park at the West Indies Housing Scheme.

The other two delegates are Gabriella Chapman and Shania Thom.

Delegate No. 7 Miss Leah Smith