Unprecedented development in Bartica under Coalition
– regional allocation rose from $226M in 2015 to $1.9Bn in 2019
DPI Guyana, Saturday, December 28, 2019
Bartica, located in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region has enjoyed unprecedented development under the Coalition administration over the last four years; with billions of dollars pumped into the township’s infrastructure. This was according to His Excellency, President David Granger.
The Head-of-State was at the time delivering the feature address at the commissioning of the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) $800M power station in the mining town.
Describing Bartica as the gateway to the hinterland, the president said the township which lies at the confluence of the Essequibo, Cuyuni and Mazaruni Rivers, has a special role as the ignition of regional development.
“Bartica is on the path of urbanization…Bartica as a town exemplified the principle of regionalisation, it became a capital of a region which is bigger than the Netherlands…Bartica has the potential to be a model town which other regions can emulate, it has the potential to ignite development throughout this sprawling region and it has the potential to deliver a good life to all of its people,” he stated.
Since being declared a township in 2016, Bartica has benefited from increased regional budgetary allocations, moving from $226Million in 2015 to $1.9Billion in 2019. This has seen the transformation of the town’s infrastructure with the Bartica-Potaro Road being a major achievement along with the redesigning of the waterfront area. Other major roads within the community have been upgraded and a modern stelling is being erected. The regional hospital was also enhanced, the water distribution system is being restructured and the waste disposal system vastly improved.
These measures, President Granger noted, form part of the administration’s plan to bring the hinterland into the mainstream of national development.
“Guyana’s four hinterland regions comprise more than two-thirds of our country. It is inconceivable that we can develop our country leaving two thirds behind. Hinterland development is essential to development as a whole, and to ensure that all of our citizens enjoy equality. Your government has started to and continues to reduce hinterland underdevelopment. Never before in my life have, I seen focus and such a commitment to hinterland development.”
The reduction of the disparity between the hinterland and coastland was also noted.
Guyana’s hinterland residents are now enjoying better access to business services, public education, health, information and communication, infrastructure, security and utilities and social protection.
President Granger underscored the progress made in the area of communication through Regional Public Broadcasting Service (RPBS) which saw the establishment of community radio stations in Bartica, Lethem, Mahdia and Aishalton and the upgrading of Radio Piawomak in Annai. Further, hinterland primary and secondary schools and residents now enjoy internet access.
In the area of education, the Head of State also highlighted that over 882 scholarships were extended under the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and 1,888 scholarships offered by the Public service Scholarship Programme. The Five-Bs (buses, bicycles, boats, books, breakfast) programme also continues to benefit thousands of students and Hinterland School Programme provided means for over 26,000 hinterland students.
Also attending the commissioning were First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson and the Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton also attended.