By Daniel DaCosta
Stabroek News
August 9, 2001

Recently appointed Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir has called on municipalities and Berbicians in general to keep the region's environment clean following a visit to the popular Number 63 Village Beach on the Upper Corentyne last Friday.

The minister made the call on a live call-in programme on Little Rock Television Station in New Amsterdam on Friday night. He had visited the beach in the company of officials from the region and his ministry and representatives of the media two days after hundreds had converged on the site as part of Emancipation Day celebrations on August 1.

"The beach was in a state. I have never seen so much garbage in one place. Everywhere there were bottles, boxes, caps, plates, spoons and plastic bags" Nadir lamented while noting that the expansive beachfront has great potential for development. Funds, he said, have been allocated in this year's budget to develop the facility but the commencement of work will depend on the establishment of a management committee. According to the minister, the regional administration will this year rehabilitate the access road to the beach. Declaring that he was pleasantly surprised at the Scottsburg beach, Nadir said the area a few miles away from Number 63 also had potential to be developed into a tourist facility for local relaxation. It was on this beach that Guyanese speedboat operators sought refuge from Surinamese soldiers who had chased them in patrol boats along Guyana's coastline last year.

Responding to questions raised by callers, the minister expressed concern over sanitation, drainage and the state of roads in New Amsterdam. While promising to speak with ministers of local government Harripersaud Nokta and Clinton Collymore about the situation in the township, Nadir also called on New Amsterdamers to assist in the disposal of garbage. Touching on the development of industrial estates the minister disclosed that approximately $250 million has been allocated in this year's budget for these sites. Responding to one caller he said "a lot of money can be spent on the New Amsterdam site but the problem with its development is one of power and politics." The development of the site has been plagued over the years by disagreements between the municipality and the regional administration over jurisdiction and areas of responsibility.

A broad-based committee comprising representatives of the Town Council, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Region Six Regional Administrations was established by former Minister Geoffrey Da Silva some two years ago to spearhead the site's development. Funds were allocated in successive budgets for infrastructural works but to date nothing much has happened. "I would say to the people of New Amsterdam if the Town Council cannot sit and let us come up with some understanding on the site the money will go somewhere else. We have money, to spend on sites in Berbice but if we cannot reach agreement with municipalities and local authorities then we will work with those who would give us their co-operation."

At a meeting with the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association [BCC&DA] on Saturday, the minister had referred to the need to resolve the issue of transference of the title of the land where the industrial site is located from the New Amsterdam Town Council to a holding company which will manage all industrial estates in the country. According to Nadir he is working on a series of measures in aid of industry and business to take to Cabinet and the President for support.

Asked about plans to construct an airport in the region, Nadir said three possible sites are "on the cards including Skeldon, Albion and East Canje. Berbicians will be getting improved air facilities in the form of an airport. The Minister of Works and Communications Anthony Xavier is looking at the possibility but no final decision has been made as yet". Referring to the proposed bridge across the Berbice River the minister said, "I am hopeful than within another few months a significant announcement will be made with respect to the commencement of this project".