COVID-19 slows down economic activities in Wakenaam

Residents of Wakenaam, Essequibo Island, are facing economic hardships, including difficulties accessing food supplies, during the COVID-19 outbreak in Guyana.
The emergency measures announced to protect the population from contracting the virus have resulted in a countrywide economic slowdown, and the quiet island of Wakenaam was not spared.
During a recent visit there, residents expressed that one of the major challenges is the reduction in the flow of food products as well as other supplies to Wakenaam.
This reduction in supplies coming to the island is as a result of a decrease in transportation services.
Wakenaam, located at the mouth of the Essequibo River, is accessible mainly by boat from the Parika Stelling.
But the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) has reduced travelling to and from the island to just two days per week: Mondays and Fridays.
But the import of supplies to the island is not all that has been affected. Farmers are unable to export their produce as often as before.
A businessman, Kamar Abjal, told Guyana Times that “not even businesspeople would purchase as before… these things affect us because of the same pandemic. It would cost me more to transport goods from here also to the markets and other places.”
Wakenaam’s Chairman, Sheikh Ahmad, said persons have been trying to cope with these challenges as they have received no support from the Government thus far.
It is these challenges that prompted the Bebeisa Sardar Charity Inc (BSCI) to donate hampers to vulnerable residents of Wakenaam.
The donation exercise took place on Sunday and persons were grateful for the assistance.
BSCI intends to reach out to other communities to donate hampers as many people are experiencing difficulties during the economic downturn accompanied by COVID-19. (Abel Harris)