The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) through its Central Transport and Planning Unit (CTPU) on Tuesday held its first public consultation with a broad section of the community in relation to its plans to transform the Parika Stelling into a modern facility.
According to a MoPI release, the session was held at the offices of the Parika Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and stakeholders including residents, minibus operators, water taxi operators and vendors, were brought up to speed on various aspects of the planning and construction phases of the project.
The technical, environmental and social aspects of the project were presented by Chief Transport Planning Officer, Patrick Thompson and Socio-Environmental Officer, Sherilyn Inniss-Alphonso of the MoPI. Thompson outlined that Parika serves as the main transport hub into Region Two, Bartica, the islands of the Essequibo River and other areas of the country and therefore the transformation is timely to support the major transport activities and commercial transactions that take place at Parika every day.
The release acknowledged that over time, the Parika Stelling has become noticeably deteriorated and congested, giving rise to safety and other environmental concerns which the project will seek to address in a most “holistic” way and in line with developmental plan for the transport sector of the country.
Funding for the feasibility and design phase of the project has been secured from the Caribbean Development Bank and once completed, financing will be provided for the construction phase of the project.
One resident, Ahmad Salim said he will be very happy for the upgrade since he has lived in Parika for the past 25 years and has seen no major progress in this regard.
A vendor who did not state her name, inquired about where the vendors would be placed during the construction of the Stelling. She was told that access to the stelling through the Parika Market will be incorporated into the design of the project so that vendors can benefit from the patronage of the persons accessing the water taxis and ferries.
Another vendor, Andrew (only name given), expressed concern about the project’s fruition noting that for the past 30 years he has been a vendor, only promises have been made for upgrades.
President of the United Minibus Union, Eon Andrews, who was also at the meeting pointed out that the Union is committed to making the project work, especially since it will have an impact on the minibus park at Parika.
