Residents of Fort Island during a meeting on Sunday with President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was visiting riverain communities in the Essequibo River, highlighted the need for renovation of the dilapidated Fort Island stelling, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
And President Jagdeo who acknowledged that it must be a welcoming sight to tourists also shared several practical ideas to boost the community’s tourism potential, GINA stated.
Accompanied by PPP presidential candidate Donald Ramotar, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, President Jagdeo met a gathering of residents on the lawns of the historic Court of Policy for discussions on several community issues.
The Court of Policy along with Fort Zeelandia in the same vicinity is one of several edifices standing since the era of Dutch occupation of Guyana.
Through the auspices of the National Trust of Guyana the site along with several others across the country has been preserved, restored and designated heritage sites.
Jagdeo suggested that members of the community with responsibility for management of the Court of policy should adopt a level of formality in attire and other impressions as a means of promotion for the historic site, GINA said.
Meanwhile, the residents noted that the community has skilled stakeholders in the art and craft sector who President Jagdeo suggested should be included on the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s roster.
According to GINA, Jagdeo promised to donate ten computers to the community and enlightened residents about the learning channel which broadcasts educational content on a 24-hour basis.
Fort Island is a tranquil community in the Essequibo River with an estimated 30 houses and residents used the occasion to highlight a number of their woes including access to secondary education for youths, GINA added.
