Andy Ville residents to receive electricity for first time
DPI, Guyana,Tuesday, January 8, 2019
For the first time in its 20-year existence, the community of Andy Ville in Blueberry Hill, Wismar Linden will receive electricity. The recommitment was made by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during a community meeting on Sunday. He said the plan is to approach the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) for assistance to aid in the regularization process.
The GLSC has already promised to regularize the area. Once this comes into play, electricity will be provided to the community, the minister assured. He said the process will cost the ministry at least $14M.
“I am here to give you, once again, my commitment that we will do what we have to do and you will do what you have to do.”
Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes, who was part of the visit, spoke of the possibility of providing an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hub in the community once electricity comes on stream.
“Once we have the electricity in here, I think some of you will know that in Block 22 and some other areas, my ministry has come in and we have put some computers and once we have the electricity then we will bring some wiring and bring internet.”
The minister went on to explain to residents how the internet could change their lives and that of their children.
“The beauty about the internet is that it gives us opportunities to get into our own entrepreneurial activities or even education. Once we bring the computers in here, we hope that you will use it, not only to talk to your relatives on weekends, but to bring your children. On those computers, we have textbooks that children need in school,” she said.
Andy Ville is one of the last villages in Wismar, Linden along the road that leads to Lethem. The community moved from having a single occupant around 15 years ago, to being home to almost 300 households.
The village was named after the first man who lived there, Andre ‘Andy’ Seaton.
Alexis Rodney.
Images: Devin Sears.