Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud with the Director Neaz Subhan and cast of Kanyadaan
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Moblissa on the move to redevelopment
- $40M water project commissioned
Georgetown, GINA, November 16, 2008
Residents of Moblissa, a small village located a few miles off the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, are breathing sighs of relief after a long awaited promise of potable water was fulfilled.
Today Prime Minister Samuel Hinds accompanied by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud commissioned the Moblissa Water Project during the first ever Community Celebration held at Moblissa.
Among those present were Chairman of Region Ten Mortimer Mingo, representatives of the Moblissa Water Users Association (MWUA) and the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP).
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Chairman of Regoin Ten Mortimer Mingo at the commissioning of the Moblissa Water Project
The $40M water project, supported by LEAP, comprises independent water systems: well and above ground storage reservoir, solar-driven pumps and discharge taps. The system is designed for domestic and agriculture use.
The community which has a population of about 200, many of whom are dairy farming families, is located about 15 miles east of the Linden Highway. It was once a thriving dairy community and government is determined to have this activity return.
Moblissa had its early stages of development in 1975 after the Livestock Development Company (LIDCO) began supporting its social, infrastructural and dairy industry development. Moblissa had the reputation of being a substantial source for milk in Guyana.
Representative of LEAP Oswald Quamina said this reputation was the result of the high quality of pasture in Moblissa where a a particular grass selected by an American agronomist was grown.
LIDCO managed the Moblissa Dairy Complex from 1975 to 2001. Unfortunately Moblissa lost its development momentum through the migration of its population. However in recent years, a resurgence through investment and resources input has revitalised the community.
The Moblissa Water Project
Quamina said this became a reality through the development of roads, water and farmers’ assistance.
Signs of redevelopment in Moblissa are evident according to Prime Minister Hinds, alluding to cattle and cash crops.
He commended all those dedicated Moblissans who “stayed the course” despite the trying times, to redevelop the community.
“When we speak about developing our country, we must think about people moving away from the coast and popularising the hinterland and this sandy clay belt and intermediate savannahs are the next logical areas for us to look to populate and develop,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
He also commended representatives of LEAP for assisting in the development of Moblissa, noting that it coincides with government’s programme of diversification and providing a broader base for sustainability.
“We in the government feel heartened at the progress it (Moblissa) has made over the years. We would have liked it to achieve more but we are in the learning stage,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
Minister Persaud said today should be considered the starting point for the regeneration and recovery of Moblissa which like others across the country has seen decline for various reasons.
“Together, residents, farmers and everyone must be committed to ensure that there is recovery in those communities and I think today what is being done here at Moblissa is an example of what is taking place across our country,”
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Chairman of Region Ten Mortimer Mingo on their way to the Water Project site
He added that the commissioning of the water project is a significant investment and urged residents, especially farmers to recognise that it was done with the aim of improving their self-sufficiency.
Minister Persaud noted however, that sustainability is of key importance and residents must contribute to this necessity.
“Sometimes citizens themselves do not take ownership of these projects after they would have been implemented and everyone sometimes looks to the other to get it done. So I want to urge you, especially our farmers to turn around this community and make it a thriving farming community, Minister Persaud said.
Government is exploring all avenues to develop the agriculture sector according to Minister Persaud including access to land.
The Region Ten Chairman said his Regional Democratic Council is supportive of any initiative to promote the development of the agriculture sector in Region Ten.
With a permanent water system in place Moblissa is now under consideration for alternative sources of energy via the establishment of a wind farms. Additionally residents are pressing for improvements in educational and infrastructure.
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New site for visitors opened at Botanical Gardens
- Schomburgk Pavilion and Lake
Georgetown, GINA, November 16, 2008
A new site showcasing the national flower of Guyana and in honour of Robert Schomburgk, the man who discovered the Victoria Regia in the Berbice River in 1837, was opened today at the Botanical Gardens on Vlissengen Road.
General Manager of the National Parks Commission (NPC) Yolanda Vasconcellos noted that the Botannical Gardens is one of the most visited cultural places in Guyana.
Sven Ullrick cutting the ribbon to open the site. Also in photo is General Manager of National Parks Commission Yolanda Vasconcellos, Chairman of National Parks Commission John Caesar, and German visitor
Vasconcellos said that “On March 22, 2007 we were honoured to announce the upgrading of a site in the Gardens to showcase the Victoria Regia.”
She noted that since Robert Schomburgk, was the German botanist who discovered Guyana’s national flower, the site would also be in honour of him.
Vasconcellos said that Sven Ullrick, a German pharmacist, who heard of the plan for this site, showed immediate interest in funding the project.
Chairman of the NPC John Caesar disclosed that the donation made by Sven Ullrick was in excess of US $12,000.
Caesar noted that Robert Schomburgk, whom the site honours did tremendous work in Guyana. “He has been an instrumental individual contributing in different ways and we honour him through the magnificent gesture of Sven Ullrick”, he said.
A section of the gathering
Sven Ullrick said that the site is important because not every Guyanese can travel and visit the hinterland areas. “They can enjoy the natural beauty here at the Gardens,” he said.
Ullrick said that it is important that the people and Government of Guyana preserve the natural beauty of the country.
He said that that in the same manner in which he visited Guyana and made this donation, the international community can also help Guyana in preserving its beauty.
The Botanical Gardens, opened in 1952, features many sites including the Seven Ponds, the Bandstands, and the Kissing Bridges.
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