Reg. 2 ‘Tri-lake experience’ closer to realisation
— Capoey residents welcome initiative
— will bring major development to the village
By Synieka Thorne
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 29, 2019
The residents of Capoey, an Indigenous village located in Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam), welcome the government’s intention to develop a ‘Tri-lake experience’ tourism destination in the area.
The villagers were updated on the project during a community outreach as part of the ‘Government comes to you’ initiative, with Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Minister of Business, Haimraj Rajkumar and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood.
Capoey is home to one of the three largest lakes on the Essequibo Coast. During his address to the residents at the Village Benab, Minister Rajkumar, who also has responsibility for tourism, explained that the ‘tri-lake’ tourism project would provide an opportunity for tourists to explore the Capoey, Tapakuma and Mainstay Lakes. These villages will have the opportunity to showcase their uniqueness through culture, history and nature.
“The project is a concept developed by the Ministry of Business through the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). The team at the GTA is working on how to execute the plan. It’s a concept that included all three communities… The objective is to ensure all the villages benefit and that there are spinoff developments,” Minister Rajkumar added.
In the case of Capoey, the minister pointed out that the plan is to create a package that will involve boating, bird watching, sport fishing and tracking. Persons will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of the village and the residents’ way of life.
“If we are looking at making this a reality in, let’s say 6 months, you at Capoey wouldn’t have the infrastructure. Your neighbouring village Mainstay has the infrastructure… The community now has to develop its own package. It’s about what you have to offer.”
He, therefore, urged the village council to organise itself and work on developing its package. He also committed to assisting the village in upgrading and expanding its community centre.
Minister Allicock highlighted that the project is part of the government’s plan to promote community tourism within the Indigenous villages. This, he said, will foster economic independence within the hinterland.
“You need to organise yourselves. Everyone will benefit because there will be a need for tour guides, caterers and transportation… Guyana is on the rise and we got to get wise… a lot of people will be coming. Don’t make persons come to corrupt your mind; you must have a mind of your own.”
Additionally, the residents requested to be considered for the government’s low-income housing programme. This will allow for a more uniform housing programme in the area.
Minister Adams-Yearwood promised to forward their request to Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson. In the interim, she encouraged them to write a formal request to the ministry to be included in the programme.
Images: Keno George