Daily hardships faced by residents of the indigenous community of Arukamai in Region One (Barima-Waini) were finally eased as they now have access to land transportation following the commissioning of a $44M access road at Wauna/Arukamai.
Measuring 10 kilometres, the Wauna/Arumakai Access Road was commissioned on Saturday by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag and Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal.
The road network connects Arukamai Village to several other communities including Wauna and White Water. It will benefit approximately 300 residents.
Before the establishment of the road, children of the community took as long as two hours to get to and from school. Farmers found it difficult to export their produce and residents were unable to access emergency services when needed.
Addressing residents who gathered at a simple commissioning ceremony in the community, Minister Croal the road will bring great relief to residents who were forced to traverse the waterway for years.
“Today is a continuation and a testimony to every single day what we do as a government… that is to bring betterment for our people,” Croal said.
Promising that the community is expected to benefit from other developmental projects of similar nature soon, Croal urged the residents to utilise the road and maximize agricultural opportunities.
“You have a government that understands the plight of its citizens.
“You have an opportunity to develop yourselves… please let us maximize the opportunities for agriculture production because as you know our President has been leading that charge to put Guyana as the bread basket of the Caribbean and Mabaruma and Region One will play an important role in leading that charge,” Croal said.
According to Minister Parag, development of this nature is needed because of the impact they have on the lives of citizens.
“The hallmark of the government has always been that the welfare of the people must come first and above everything else.
“We have always placed emphasis and believe that our indigenous communities should have equal access to every programme and policy just as the urban areas,” Parag told the residents.
The road network is also expected to significantly benefit persons involved in sanding mining and logging.
Pamela Joseph, a resident, said she and her family are already reaping the benefits.
“The road is a blessing… Lately my daughter-in-law was pregnant and the ambulance reached till to our home to carry her to the hospital to deliver her baby.
“I am so thankful… the road was very bad it was just a little track where my children, and they are all girls, they had to walk far to get to school,” Joseph said.
Another resident, Kenneth Raphael, said the road was requested since 1993.
“Today I am so glad that the vision that I have seen has come to pass because of this government. I am so happy. My heart just rejoicing,” Raphael said.
