…to be built with cold storage, packaging house to transport food produce from Guyana to Caribbean region – Pres Ali
The Parika Port that the Government of Guyana plans to build, will have cold storage facilities and a packaging house, helping the facility to serve a vital function for the farmers of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and providing a launching pad to export produce directly to the Caribbean.
During a visit to Region Three, President Dr Irfaan Ali met with farmers and spoke about his Government’s initiative. According to the President, the Parika stelling that will be transformed into an international port, will play a vital role in Guyana’s food security ambitions and boost exports of agriculture products.
“How do we reduce the cost between when the produce was reaped and the time it goes to the market? That is why we’re building back the Parika stelling into an international port, so we can export directly into the Caribbean from Parika.”
“And in that facility, we’ll have international cold storage. This is how the Government supports the farmers. We’ll have packaging houses that you can go there and package your product. Everybody doesn’t need to invest in individual facilities,” the President pointed out.
The current Parika stelling
Mention was also made of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government getting regional supermarket chains like Massy – which also has branches in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Vincent, St Lucia and the United States of America (USA)- to retail Guyana’s packaged products in other corners of the region.
“We’ll have the cold storage where you go and put your product in, showing the time and shelf life of your produce. And just as Massy is bringing in stuff from the whole Caribbean, we have to get them to take our packaged stuff to all the supermarkets throughout the Caribbean,” the Head of State added.
For some time, plans have been afoot to construct a new Parika Ferry Stelling and Waterfront Development Project, which will effectively transform the Parika Stelling into a major regional hub for transportation and socioeconomic activities, and enhance operational efficiency, prioritise safety and guarantee commuters’ comfort.
Funds were set aside in the Public Works Ministry’s $9.9 billion River Transport budget for this initiative. Additionally, monies were also earmarked to support the dredging of the Demerara River channels to ensure safe passage of larger ships, as well as the removal of wrecks and obstructions from the Demerara and Essequibo rivers.
The stelling sees much traffic. For instance, almost nine million repeat passengers have been recorded transiting on river taxis between Vreed-en-Hoop and Georgetown last year… further amplifying the need for the Government of Guyana to take steps to clear the river of encumbrances such as logs in order to enhance the travel experience.
Last month, President Ali met with boat operators at Vreed-en-Hoop, and discussed his Government’s plans for them. He listened to their concerns and also revealed that as many as 8.5 million passengers were recorded last year using the Vreed-en-Hoop to Georgetown route.
With this number in mind, President Ali noted the importance of Government investing in the facility and improving the standards. According to the Head of State, a number of measures will be undertaken, including dredging of both channels. “We have to change the standards and invest in the facilities here for the passengers and also the operators. And there are seven key areas that were identified, one is the dredging of both channels; that is, in Stabroek area and here,” he had detailed.
“And then you have the piles at the Georgetown side that caused damages to a number of boats. You requested cameras on both sides. Security cameras. Then you have the hut for the monitor on the Georgetown side. The landing in Georgetown to be extended to the basin. But if we dredge, that would help that a lot,” the Head of State added.
