To use the toilet at the state-owned Parika Stelling, Essequibo, costs $20.00. The passenger has to walk past the ticket booth and go to meet a pleasant woman, sitting in a chair, functioning as the toilet guard and possibly cleaner. In a gentle voice she tells you, ‘it is $20.00’ That information means you have to dig into your wallet/bag/purse, hand over the $20,00 before being given permission to enter the toilet area. Men may not use the toilet paper, but pay the same price.
The Parika Stelling is state-owned and managed by the Transport and Harbour Department. In resources-rich Guyana, the Government cannot afford to or refuses to provide passengers, vendors and the public access to toilet facilities and with toilet paper, at no cost. A user who may have used up the four sheets before completing their business would have to resort to creative ways, not excluding shouting through the door for another four sheets.
Village Voice News sought the opinions of a few commuters about paying for the service.
One commuter, sitting in the waiting area, awaiting the next ferry to Wakenaam in a resigned tone said, “what can we do about it…the government doesn’t care about poor people.”
Another said she would prefer not having to pay and a way she avoids paying is not to take water or drink before travelling. “This is how I save the money,” she offered.
A nurse told this publication that by charging people to use the toilet, the Government is ignoring health implications such as: “1) persons being able to relieve themselves; and 2) the importance of the human body being allowed to function naturally, which includes being able to urinate or defecate as needed.”
This publication recounted to her one passenger refusing to drink any liquid for fear of having to use the toilet, which comes at a cost, and wanting to save money. The nurse said this is unfortunate, given that the body comprises about 60 percent of water, Guyana is hot, people need to stay hydrated, and holding one’s urine could result in problems such as Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
According to the nurse, it would be wise for the government to allow access to toilets at no cost, ensure the toilets have toilet papers, water and hand soap, and they are kept clean. “In this oil rich economy, we can at least afford to do that. The health of the people comes first, and a healthy people is a healthy nation,” she concluded.
