One year after its construction a $5 million dollar eco-lodge at St Cuthbert’s Mission houses termites and bugs and weeds are taking over the structure.
The tourist site, which was established over the Mahaica River, was a collaborative effort of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the former Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, with funding from Norway, through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
However, according to Toshao Lenox Ron Shuman, the initiative is a failed project. He said the newly elected council has been discussing the relocating of the eco-lodge, but this discussion was only done at the level of the council.
Shuman told Stabroek News that he is currently working on re-purposing all of the assets of the facility as it was poorly planned and administrated.
In addition, the Captain believes that the location chosen for the eco-lodge was not the ideal place as it is difficult to access it from the village, considering the distance, the condition of the road and the crossing of the Mahaica River. A huge swamp spans the trail to the site of the eco-lodge and vehicles are unable to go the full distance.
Sections of the trail are almost invisible and were it not for two kind young men: Wayne, 16, and Omari, 8, who guided Stabroek News to the eco-lodge, finding it would have been impossible.
Overgrown weeds have covered the trail leading to the site and there is no bridge or boats provided by the village to cross the Mahaica River to access the building.
Walking along the trail, one comes into contact with weeds and branches that hang overhead, some blossoming with fluffy pollen that loosens upon being touched.
But the budding vines that hang from tall trees and wild ferns, along with other unique flowering plants that adorn the vast forested area present a magnificence that is breathtaking.
Being greeted with the cool ripples of the constant and quiet flow of the fresh black water