Dear Editor,
I am happy to read in Stabroek News that two new Wartsila engines are billed for Anna Regina. For decades I have been writing letters in this newspaper advocating that 2 new engines be acquired, since the ones which are there cannot carry the load. Most often these engines would face sudden problems and cause the entire region to experience prolonged blackouts. One has to bear in mind that these Wartsila sets were brought here since 1993, by the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, and they have outlived their lifespan. If they were giving the kind of service needed they might have survived longer.
The previous government which claimed to be a caring one didn’t fix the problem for decades, and we lived through some terrible times with these old Wartsila engines. They started to develop problems in the Jagdeo and Ramotar era, and these carried over to the coalition.
Well, the complaints and writing in the press did not fall on deaf ears after all; the new government began to work on it, and Bartica which was suffering like Anna Regina with endless blackouts will also get their due with one new Wartsila engine too. I am certain that the Barticians are also happy, knowing that their blackouts woes will be no more and they will get to live full and happy lives, with production rising again and businesses booming. Some of the unserviced areas which never had lights and electricity will now benefit from these engines; they will be able to enjoy a good life, and their children will get to study at night after school.
They will be able to use washing machines, fans, air-conditioners, hot plates, blenders etc, etc; more jobs will be created in the factories; and business, trade and tourism will flourish once there is stable and reliable energy around the clock. Region Two will then realize its full potential to become a centre of commerce. What the PPP failed to do in 23 years the coalition is moving rapidly to correct and put in place. We are now awaiting the arrival of these two new engines. This will certainly be a boost for the government as it is being touted that this region is being neglected because APNU+AFC did not win it; this will definitely put a dent in these doubting Thomases.
What I would like to see now is more cottage industries, better roads and streets, farm to market roads, better markets for our rice and paddy, cash crops, fruits and ground provisions. If the government can tap into these, it can win this region easily in 2020. It needs to place more emphasis on this region by sending a minister every month to hear the people’s problems. Our rice industry here is well on its way to achieving and sustaining production of greater than 2 million bags of paddy each crop. The last couple of years have witnessed millers upgrading their mills and improving efficiency by using modern technologies with the intention of getting more markets with higher prices for their produce.
With the new plants here they can mill their rice, dry and store their paddy without it being damaged.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Khan
