The community of Mainstay/Whyaka on the Essequibo Coast will soon benefit from an upgraded airstrip and road.
From left: Minister of State, Joseph Harmon: Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka, Joel Fredricks; and Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Sydney Allicock, during the Heritage celebrations
Arnold Adams, a representative of the Regional Democratic Council, during a presentation at the recently held Heritage celebrations, delivered the news to the residents.
“Toshao, we would have heard your cry, and I want tell you this very, very clear: we would have included your road in the 2018 budget, also the airstrip we would have included in that budget,” he announced.
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who also attended the event, noted that airstrips are vital to the development of communities, and one at Mainstay would be wholeheartedly supported.
“In the 2017 budget, there is a sum allocated for, I believe, 90-something airstrips to be upgraded. And certainly, once the recommendation comes from the Regional Democratic Council of Region 2 for work to be done on this airstrip here at Mainstay, and because we understand the link which it has for tourism and the development of this community, it will get the kind of priority it deserves,” the minister was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information.
Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka, Joel Fredricks, said the realisation of the promise of upgraded road and airstrip will be of great benefit to the community of more than 600 persons.
According to Toshao Fredricks, the existing airstrip has been inoperable since 2002. He also disclosed that once it is operational, the village council will assume responsibility for the maintenance of the airstrip.
Fredricks observed that the airstrip will not only boost community tourism, trade and transport, but will also benefit miners.
Mainstay/Whyaka is currently accessed via road from Anna Regina. However, the deplorable state of the road has hampered tourism and other businesses in the area. The upgraded road would be a great relief for residents of the community as well as those in the neighbouring communities of Lima Sands, Tapakuma, and Red Lock.
