Neilson McKenzie visited and conducted an outreach in the Region 10, Upper Demerara Upper Berbice region during the period August 22nd -24th.
The purpose of the visit was to meet with AFC members and the general public in the Kwakwani, Aroraima and Berbice River environs.
We started our meetings at Aroraima where we met with about twenty (20) supporters and members who shared the problems and Challenges facing the while eager to find about the issues facing the AFC especially in the recent scenario with Party Chair and Parliament on Amailia. We were able to clarify these and encourage them to keep supporting the party which the vowed to continue doing.
Some issues facing the Aroraima residents;
No proper play ground, facilities, skills training for youths. Unemployment and education opportunities remain a constant challenge.
AFC response;
One member of the AFC has tools and is willing to create a training centre to teach young people in furniture making and hopes to have the region’s support in getting furniture contracts.
We will follow up with the Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture for the One Million Dollar Grant for Grounds development that was approved in the estimates. In addition ask the business community to donate sports gears. The youths promised us to organize themselves into club structure to make this a reality. This is a very vibrant AFC Group headed by a very positive young woman, Lorraine Hodge
Wikki Calcuni
This Mission /Reservation has about three hundred residents.
The ACF supporters there are vibrant and were very forth coming with issues and challenges. They complained about the repeated GINA /NCN bombardment and blame of the opposition for every problem in the country. The Current issues in the press about party chair and Parliamentary vote was once again addressed and they were very happy that we came and want to see more of our leaders on regular basis.
Issues and Challenges.
- One single teacher responsible for the school of thirty plus children up to Grade Six.
- No police outpost between Aroraima and DeVeldt covering g over 100 miles of river travel.
- Lack of Sports equipment for youth .
Very Important Issue.
The Big issue in the Berbice River remains the absence of the river Ferry. The removal of this boat has killed off numerous river villages driving residents away and forcing people to do marijuana cultivation. Berbicians recall producing and shipping the most food like nuts, corns, bananas and beef in this country via the ferry. This Ferry previously covered the route New Amsterdam to Ituni three times per week.
The current launch has no washroom facility for a 20 hr journey, no seats, sleeping, and women and men alike are forced to sleep on the steel floor if tired. This boat carries wood, fuel, people and other goods, operating with almost no life jackets and maritime safeguards.
The cost per person one way is $3000 and every piece of goods must be paid for. $300 per drink case and box apiece. These people are hurting badly. I wish to make this call with some photo presentation at the Press conference.
Benefits of the Ferry
Cheap and reliable river transport, large shipment capacity for food produced interaction with hucksters and increased trade. This will result in a significant drop in cost of living as fuel now $1700 per gal and other basic commodities will go down. This item will have to one of our negotiating tools in the parliamentary bag. This issue will be raised via our Press Conference, a Letter to Minister Robson Benn and President Ramotar.
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