Turnout for New Amsterdam Town Day below expectations
Crime wave cited
By Daniel Da Costa
Stabroek News
October 27, 2002
Thousands of Berbicians came out for Town Day yesterday, braving not only the broiling sunshine but also week-long rumours of a possible attack by armed bandits.
But the response to the curtain-raiser Street Fair and `lime' on Main Street was disappointing compared to previous years. Many attributed the lower than expected turnout to the persistent rumours doing the rounds in certain sections of the media.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir in declaring the Street Fair open yesterday morning criticised those members of the business community who boycotted the eight-day programme and in particular yesterday's Street Fair. The programme concludes today.
Speaking at the mid-morning launching which began more than one hour late, Nadir noted that those who were opposed to the Street Fair glorified similar activities in neighbouring Suriname. A number of businesspersons including the Head of the Regional Chambers of Commerce, Ramdial Bhookmohan had called for the Street Fair to be postponed because of the crime situation in the country and security fears among the business community.
Answering his own question, Nadir said "Town Day is not a waste of time and money and should be continued and expanded." Noting that the street party attracted the most criticism, he suggested that the benefits of the activity outweighed the negative effects. He reaffirmed his ministry's support for the activity saying it brought people from all walks of life together and stimulated domestic tourism. He congratulated the organising Committee for persevering with the programme despite the criticism and negative views.
Mayor of New Amsterdam, Claude Henry addressing the small gathering which had assembled between Trinity and Chapel Streets to witness the opening was also loud in his praise for the organising Committee. The purpose of the activities he said was to showcase the town's past, present and future, to encourage the inflow of visitors and small businesses. According to Henry the 63rd Mayor of New Amsterdam, the 12-member Council is "working to re-establish the former glory of the town which was established in 1791 and which became a Municipality in 1891. Things are however not what they should be because of a meagre annual Government subvention and poor rates collection. He expressed disappointment over the lack of support from certain sections of the business community saying. "I hope that come next year they will make a greater contribution."
President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCC&DA), Ramesh Maraj in brief remarks said he was hopeful that by this year-end the Industrial Site would become a reality in New Amsterdam. He also joined in noting that there were some negative thoughts within the business community over the Street Fair and he too hoped that next year they would be more supportive. The almost one-hour-long opening ceremony was spiced with cultural items from school children, individuals and religious organisations.
Once again the Street Fair was dominated by stalls selling alcoholic beverages and food. Five music systems blared sounds across the town and its environs as mostly young people drank away and traversed the main thoroughfare. Stabroek News counted at least fifty stalls which were selling alcoholic beverages. Commander of B Division, Assistant Commissioner, Paul Slowe had told this newspaper a few weeks ago that he would not allow the Street Fair to continue in the night. But the Fair was still in full swing when this story was being filed as the sun set over the town.
Among exhibits on show were: a handicraft booth manned by members of the Congo Nya Group, the Ministry of Health, AMA Industries, the Adult Education Association (AEA), IDCE, the University of Guyana and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Many persons expressed disappointment over the small number of booths exhibiting local products and/or showcasing New Amsterdam. Some noted the absence of a booth from the Berbice Chamber of Commerce. Two arches, which should have been erected at Charlotte Street and Chapel Street, were not put up because of some undisclosed problems. The theme of this year's activities was "The Glories of New Amsterdam, Past, Present and Future".