President Bharrat Jagdeo recently commissioned a spanking new pavilion valued just over $6M at Wakenaam, while works have already started on the construction of an airstrip at Maria’s Pleasure.
A press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said most of the residents of the 17.5 square miles island attended the opening, along with representatives of the Wakenaam Nite management committee and the Tourism, Industry and Commerce and Housing and Water ministers Manniram Prashad and Irfaan Ali. Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber also attended the event.
In his address the President said he attended the opening to celebrate the spirit of cooperation which led to the completion of the facility. “I have always insisted that if there is more partnership in our country then the progress that we make could be increased one hundred fold and this progress could lead to a better life for everyone,” he added.
Several community-minded islanders had asked the president to assist with the building of the recreational facility for their youth, most of whom enjoy cricket. In February 2007 ground preparation efforts started with support from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, the Regional Democratic Council and public-spirited citizens.
The following year the community proposed to host a ‘Wakenaam Nite’ and a decision was taken to use the proceeds to build the pavilion.
The Tourism and Commerce ministry assisted the committee and the first Wakenaam Nite, featuring a mini expo and a pageant was successfully staged in August 2008. The event was considered the biggest ever on the island and was soon featured on the tourism ministry’s calendar of events. The event made a profit of $1M which was enough to fund the construction in September 2008. Later, members of the private sector rendered assistance including West Indies cricketer Ramnaresh Sarwan.
According to GINA, Jagdeo plans to make a long boom hymac permanently available in Wakenaam to aid in the drainage and irrigation works in the farming community.
The hymac costs nearly $40 million. In the coming weeks road works costing $50 million will start on the island. Also, work has already started on an airstrip at Maria’s Pleasure, one of the many villages on the island. Government has spent $14M for the conversion of the 26-acre plot of land into an airport, which is necessary to facilitate aid in emergency situations.
