Indian experts to complete Arrival Monument in Berbice

By Bibi Khatoon

Following the collapse of the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra on the Corentyne Coast, the Indian Government will be sending an Architect, a Sculptor and an Engineer to oversee the completion of the project.

This was confirmed by Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Dr George Norton who told News Room on Wednesday that while the date of arrival for the technical experts has not yet been decided, the Guyana Government hopes that the construction of the monument will be completed in time for May 05 – Arrival Day.

The monument came crashing down in April of 2017, hours after workers complained of not being paid for work they did in February 2017; it was being built by M.S Collin Mathis and Associates.

The monument is a collaborative effort with the Indian Government and in March 2017, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo along with the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, V. Mahalingam unveiled a signboard depicting the artist impression of the monument.

The Prime Minister had also revealed that $97M was allocated to do ground work at the Palmyra site while the sculpture costs the Indians some US$150,000.

After its collapse, the Indian Government requested a report, which Dr. Norton said was submitted after which they offered to send the Architect, a Sculptor and an Engineer. He said the experts will be from a New Delhi company – MS Ram Sutar Finearts Pvt. Limited.

Guyana now awaits the return of the Indian High Commissioner to move forward with the project.

There were calls for the monument to be placed at Highbury on the East Bank of Berbice where the first batch of indentured Indian immigrants arrived, but News Room was told that Palmyra was chosen because of the distance and accessibility.