The Berbice Expo and Trade Fair opens tomorrow at the Albion Sports Complex after a hiatus resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The four-day event, which started in 2004, was held continuously until 2019. Over the past two years, the event was cancelled because of restrictions imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, on Wednesday, when this publication visited the Albion Sports Complex, almost all of the arrangements had been put in place for the expo. The expo, which is being hosted by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, is themed “Advancing food security through agricultural sustainability and innovation.”
President Dr Irfaan Ali is slated to deliver the feature address at the official opening on Friday. The arena has already been transformed into an exhibition site.
On Wednesday evening exhibitors were putting the final touches to their booths.
Organising committee member Poonai Bhigroog told this publication that the Expo has been sold out in terms of exhibitors.
“We cannot take more exhibitors. Patrons can look forward for an exciting Berbice Expo this year. You will be seeing many companies that have never been here before.”
He explained that new arrangements have been put in place for this edition of the Expo.
“This year it is different. In the eastern side of the ground, we have booths that were never there at any of the Expos before. Those are some prefab booths that the Ministry of Agriculture is setting up. We have people from Suriname coming, and many others that were never here before,” he said.
Security arrangements
Meanwhile, Divisional Police Commander, Senior Superintendent Shivpersaud Bacchus, is giving his assurance that not only will the arena be safe, but the Police will be providing protection from New Amsterdam to Corriverton on the nights of the Expo in terms of having escorts.
“Motorcyclists will be patrolling to ensure that persons who are leaving at late nights will be able to do so in a safe environment. We will also have roving traffic patrols on the roadway from Springlands to New Amsterdam to ensure persons get to their homes safely.”
He noted that persons from Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) who might be attending the expo will be assisted with Police patrols up to the entrance of the Berbice River Bridge.
According to the Commander, there will be no crowding at either the eastern or western entrance to the Expo. “We would have done traffic management and taken a tour of the surrounding areas to ensure that the logistics and our human resources are in place in order to mitigate any circumstance of built-up vehicular traffic.”
As it relates to patrons, Bacchus said there will be officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and general duty ranks will be strategically located both inside and outside of the Albion Sports Complex.
“This will ensure that those who may want to commit an office are apprehended even before, because those persons in civilian clothing would be on the lookout for them.”
Bacchus noted that the Community Policing Group and the Neighbourhood Police are on board, and they will be backed up by a private security service.
Apart from security, the Police will be having a booth which, according to the Commander, will be providing education on the Police Force. He added that the Police booth will also have items on sale, and he is urging persons to support them. (G4)
