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Guyana’s hinterland, West of Fort Island in the Essequibo River, could be a difficult and disorderly place in which to live but the challenges there could be overcome, according to Former President David Granger.
Appearing on his weekly Public Interest Programme, the former President noted that the hinterland – comprising the Barima-Waini; Cuyuni-Mazaruni; Potaro-Siparuni; Rupununi and parts of the Pomeroon-Supenaam and East Berbice-Corentyne Regions – constitute 75 per cent of the country’s landmass.
Not only is access aggravated by inadequate infrastructure such as aerodromes, bridges, highways and stellings but effective law-enforcement everywhere is restricted by the vast size, long distances and limited communications and transportation assets.
“The thinly populated borders with Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela are still vulnerable to transnational crimes, contraband-smuggling, gun-running, drug-trafficking, people-trafficking and banditry in isolated rivers and roads. Abandoned narco-trafficking aeroplanes, people-trafficking and robbery with violence are not uncommon,” Mr. Granger said. He thinks that more prudent planning could improve human safety and hinterland administration.
The former President pointed out that although the hinterland’s forests and mines produce much of its diamonds, gold, timber and other commodities, residents remain relatively poor. “About two-thirds of hinterland residents – mainly the nine indigenous peoples – are poor, despite the Regions’ wealth in natural resources. Housing is inadequate and overcrowded, six in ten persons do not have access to safe drinking water, vector-borne disease (eg, malaria) is a constant threat, educational achievement is lower than elsewhere, and employment could be uncertain,” Mr. Granger pointed out.
Mr. Granger recalled that APNU+AFC Coalition created four capital towns – at Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem in Regions Nos. 1, 7, 8 and 9 – aimed at improving the quality of life everywhere and bridging the gap between the hinterland and coastland. The Coalition also created four separate police divisions in four capital towns to improve law enforcement in the hinterland.
The former President is convinced that the implementation of the Coalition’s proposed Plans of Action for Regional Development (PARD) would empower Regional Democratic Councils to deploy public health, public utilities, public works and other public services more efficiently. This, he believed, would improve the quality of life for everyone West of Fort Island.
