Over the weekend, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar visited the communities of Little and Big Baiboo, Mahaica and Wake-naam, Essequibo River where various concerns plaguing farmers and other residents were highlighted.
According to a press release from the Ministry, at Wakenaam a 50% travel-cost reduction agreement was reached to more affordably facilitate farmers transporting 40 thousand plus bags paddy from Wakenaam to millers.
Meanwhile, in the Baiboo communities, the Minister committed to ensuring the provision of electricity and the rehabilitation of a Health Center, among other infrastructural developments, which according to the release, he said were neglected for the past five years.
According to the press release, farmers at Wakenaam had discussed with government their need for a cheaper service provider to transport their paddy from Wakenaam to millers.
Following consultation with the famers and other stakeholders, the release said that it was agreed by Indar and team that the costs to travel from Wakenaam to the Essequibo Coast and from Wakenaam to Parika will be reduced by 50%.
It said, too, that as of yesterday, farmers can expect to have the ferry service leaving Wakenaam from 5:00am and returning at 4:00pm; all of which they indicated would bring relief given the COVID-19 pandemic which has affected business.
According to the release, Indar said that representation was made to the previous administration but nothing was done “to ease the burden” on the rice farmers; and it went on to quote the Minister as saying “this is unprecedented. Therefore, we expect the farmers and truck drivers to take full advantage of this initiative during this period.”
Among concerns discussed with the Minister at Big Baiboo were the deplorable states of the De Hoop road leading to farms, the main bridge leading to Big Baiboo, street lights, sluices and electricity which the area has never had.
Residents also complained about the Health Centre being dysfunctional which according to the release they say has been neglected for the past five years and has seen no medical personnel visiting the area nor was any drugs distributed to the area.
Indar, according to the release said that the emergency national budget did not cater for the rehabilitation of the road and main bridge in Baiboo, but, noted, “We will have an opportunity to include it in our 2021 budget so as to bring relief to the residents in the area,” while also noting that the previous Agriculture Minister had visited the area and increased land tax for the farmers.
In the community of approximately 1200 of Little Baiboo the press release said Indar noted that the Health Centre which is currently in a dilapidated state are among the issues which will be given immediate attention.
The release said that Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power & Light Samaroo Ramtahal informed the residents that a team from the power company will return to the area to conduct a survey to evaluate all possible solutions for having electricity in the area as soon as possible.
