Bartica is on its way to being recognised as a town that is ‘clean and green’. The town council has taken the initiative to develop open spaces and recreational parks which will contribute to the overall beatification project that is currently ongoing within the small town.

One major development that is expected to be completed by the end of November is that of the West Indian Housing Scheme’s green park. This park is said to be the first of its kind, promoting clean green open spaces in Guyana.

Bartica’s Mayor, Gifford Marshall gave the Government Information Agency (GINA) a tour of the site, as well as a number of others that are in their first phase of development. The West Indian Housing Scheme is being created at a cost of $31M which is being funded by the central government.

Mayor Marshall said, “It’s (the project) an initiative of the Town Council, the reason being because we know that the central government budgeted large sums of money for parks across the country. As a result, we saw this area needed much development and we recommended it for this project.”

The swampy area was the perfect breeding site for mosquitoes and other pests. This land space will now facilitate a number of modern amenities which will be powered by solar energy.

“This entire area was basically overgrown by bushes, so it’s a project that is designed not only to green the town, but also to have some massive transformational changes within the area. It will have a fountain in the middle and the fountain will have the water coming from the natural spring that is behind us. It will have two ‘kissing’ bridges, and we will also have solar lights, children’s play area and many more amenities,” Marshall explained.

The development of this and other recreational sites is in keeping with President David Granger’s vision of creating a green Bartica Town, moreover a green Guyana. A number of others areas in Bartica have been earmarked for future projects.

The Mayor pointed out that, “Every community, when I say community, housing development, housing area need to have open spaces and this is just a model, this is just an example and we hope to have open spaces in, along the Potaro Road, Four Miles Housing Scheme, Caribese Hill and other areas.”

Bartica continues to show progress in becoming a ‘clean and green’ model. Going green involves the reduction and the subsequent discontinuation of use of fossil fuels and the adoption of clean renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and hydropower. It also entails a comprehensive solid waste disposal system, minimising the use of Styrofoam and plastics, planting of trees and mangroves, clean potable water sources, among other initiatives.

Guyana has embarked on a long-term initiative to green its economy as strongly advocated by the President.

Several main pillars of Bartica being a green economy includes: sustainable harvesting of natural capital, integrated planning and data management, environmental security, disaster risk reduction, financial mobilisation and technology science and innovation.

Source: DPI