Councillors call for upgrades at Belladrum/Paradise Beach to boost tourism

Calls are being made for increased attention and development at Belladrum/Paradise Beach on the West Coast of Berbice, with concerns raised during last Thursday’s Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) meeting about the condition and potential of the area.
Councillor Emerson Benjamin told the meeting that while some improvements have been made, more needs to be done to enhance the beach and its surrounding infrastructure. He pointed to ongoing works in the area but said additional measures are needed to maximise its use.

“I went up there last Sunday, and I noticed a good road there, so I welcome that,” Benjamin said, while calling for further development of the site.
He noted that the location is one of only a limited number of accessible beach areas in the region and suggested that greater investment could improve its appeal and usability.
“I would like to see more interest… to redefine this one, because I think this is one of two access beaches we have in this region,” he said, adding that infrastructure such as lighting could further enhance the area.
“If we can propose some solar lights for those beaches,” he added.
In response, Regional Chairman Ricardo Dwain Phillips acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated that the matter would be discussed at a Government level.
“We’ll engage the Office of the Prime Minister on this,” Phillips said, while noting that the Works Committee would also visit the area to carry out an assessment.
Belladrum/Paradise Beach on the West Coast of Berbice has, for years, featured in public discussion as an Atlantic foreshore access and recreation site, with successive plans and works aimed at improving the area. Among the interventions highlighted over time were efforts to upgrade the access road between Belladrum and Paradise and proposals to install lighting. Official reports have also indicated that organised activities at the beach were at one stage relocated due to ongoing construction works at the site, pointing to efforts to carry out physical improvements within the beach area itself. The location has also been linked to initiatives to promote community-based tourism along the West Coast corridor.