Govt mulling funds for upgrading No.63 beach
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Govt mulling funds for upgrading No.63 beach
Main St, NA to get 22 street lampsBy Daniel DaCosta
Stabroek News
October 7, 2000
The Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry is exploring the possibility of upgrading a number of locations in Berbice to tourism sites.
Tourism Minister Geoffrey Da Silva made this disclosure at a media briefing on Wednesday in the Chamber of the New Amsterdam Town Council. Prior to the briefing, the minister had visited the No.63 Beach and Guysuco's Port Mourant Training Centre.
The briefing scheduled for 1400 hrs did not get underway until 1545 hrs, and without an explanation.
According to Da Silva, his Ministry is exploring the possibility of providing funds in next year's budget to upgrade No.63 Beach as a tourist attraction. He referred to the Port Mourant Training Centre as "an example of how Berbice can attract investors to the region because the level of training at the Centre is the best in the country."
"We want to highlight the Centre to the rest of the country and to foreigners. We are looking at the Beach to see how we can support Berbice in upgrading a number of facilities," he said.
He also disclosed that a working committee has been established to push the development of the Industrial Site in New Amsterdam once again, noting that the access bridge to the site could be completed by October 28. The committee includes representatives of the Minis-try of Trade, the Regional Administration of Region Six, the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and the Town Council.
President of the Chamber, Ramdial Bhookmohan, said that a decision had been taken to extend the submission deadline for applications to establish businesses at the site by another two weeks.
The site, he said, has the potential to accommodate some 20 businesses with scope for expansion and it could employ approximately 500 persons.
A similar committee was established one year ago to spearhead the development of the site but it was unable to accomplish anything tangible after bureaucratic wrangling between the Municipality and the Regional Administration.
Approximately $13M was allocated in successive budgets for infrastructural works on the site.
President Bharrat Jagdeo had in the past expressed concern over the slow pace of progress on the site and had called on those involved to speed up the process. According to the Minister, the money is available for the site.
Meanwhile, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the rate plans are progressing for the two-day celebrations to mark New Amsterdam Town Day on October 28. Yet he admitted that a lot of work remains to be done to make the event a success.
The occasion, he observed, is "to make a lot of things happen around business and the economy ... it is a `lime', a Town Day, fun for the family and serious business."
Bhookmohan announced then that the business community in New Amsterdam had purchased 22 street lamps which will be installed by October 13 along Main Street. A ceremony will be held on that day to officially turn on the lamps. The two-day celebrations will commence on October 27 with an opening ceremony and a day of activities including a cultural programme.
The day has been designated "Youth Day" and will be highlighted by a cultural extravaganza dubbed "Youth in Concert".
On Saturday, designated "Town Day", activities will commence with a town parade and will include a street carnival and an exposition by businesses, institutions and individuals.
According to Bhookmohan, arrangements have been made for a parking lot to be established at Rosignol and for three vessels to ply the river crossing around-the-clock from October 26 to 29.
He emphasised that the Chamber was serious about exhibiting the potential of Berbice and attracting outsiders.
He cautioned that music should not be played too late at nights to disturb other citizens and breach silent zones in the township.
On October 27 a New Amsterdam 2000 massive fete will be staged at the Scots School ground, featuring a number of sound systems. And to date 125 applications have been received for stalls from a total of 210 application forms that were distributed. Application forms are available at $300 each.
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