Children of East Canje, Berbice whose parents were made redundant when the Rose Hall Sugar Estate closed on December 31, 2017 will as of today have a bus to take them to and from school.
The decision to implement the school bus system was recently taken after acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop had promised that if they could not get the Region to pay for a bus, one of the David G buses from the Corentyne would be moved to Canje.
This was, however, rejected and as such, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) agreed to take up an offer by a businessman for him to supply a bus for that
Acting Regional Chairman Dennis DeRoop
purpose with the RDC paying the driver and for the fuel.
As a result of this offer, the RDC will be saving at least $30,000, since it will not have to pay for the rental of the 30-seater bus.
“We finally have it implemented. It will be implemented as from Monday. Priority will be given to the children of the severed sugar workers, but they will pick up other students too as they are coming up,” DeRoop said.
The bus is expected to pick up children from 07:30h from Gangaram Village and take them to the secondary schools in New Amsterdam.
The implementation of the school bus service in East Canje could not have come at a better time taking into consideration the fact minibus fares are expected to increase.
DeRoop explained that the bus would have a sign indicating that it was contracted by the RDC.
Noting that the arrangement is a highly-subsidised venture, DeRoop said the owner of Lako Car and Bus Rental was giving back to his community.
“On behalf of the Regional Administration, I want to thank Mr Lako for giving back to the community and joining the regional administration in this partnership to provide such a needed service to the children of the severed sugar workers,” the acting Chairman said.
