Parika: A bridge to the heart of Essequibo

Located in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Parika is the gateway to the Essequibo coastlands.

Known as a port township, as it is popular for its ferry service to Supenaam, Bartica, and the islands such as Leguan, Wakenaam, Hog Island, etc; Parika was also in talks of becoming a town.

Having over 4000 inhabitants, the community is also famous for its Saturday night-Sunday morning market, as well as being a commercial hub due to its central location.

Up to 500 individual merchants set up their stalls containing various produce. These produce includes banana, coconut, plantain, cassava, watermelon, etc. It is also known for its exotic pet trades including parrots and various birds.

Parika is also known as a vast fishing community, as fishers would go out to sea from the wharf and return to ply their trade on a daily basis.

It is also a major hub for land transport, since it is a route terminal for minibusses.

The community is also known to be one of the central business areas in Region Three, housing more banks than any other region. The fact that Republic Bank, Scotia Bank, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, and Demerara Bank are located in Parika is testament to the commercial viability of the village.

Parika is also home to Guyana’s first two-tiered parking facility. The parking lot known as the S&R Parking Lot, is located at 162 Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

The multimillion-dollar structure leads the way countrywide in terms of single parking spaces.

The construction of the steel structured parking lot commenced in 2010 and can accommodate 102 vehicles.

The parking complex is convenient for persons travelling to the islands and only costs $500 a day.

Parika also houses many schools, a health centre, a Police Station, and many businesses, which is one of the main reasons for the daily hustle and bustle on the streets.

The community contains much more than what is seen on the surface. Driving into the backlands, alias the ‘backdam’, there is much more to be seen.

The backdam is widely known for its ground provision cultivation and poultry rearing.

These farmers supply provisions, such as plantain, eddoe, cassava, yam, sweet potato, etc to various parts of the country; the same is done with the poultry.

The people of Parika however, are the highlight of what the community stands for: Unity is visible in the close-knit community.

Speaking with a few villagers, they all talked about the comforts of living in the community.

Some proclaimed that “we are all like family here”, which says much about them.

It is a custom for loud music to be heard when traversing through the community since weddings and parties are held regularly.

According to villagers, one does not need an invitation to these events, since as long as you live in Parika, you are welcomed.

The sunshine village is continuously developing and is expected to be a greater attraction in years to come.