Residents of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, are eager for the implementation of the Government’s Model Village Initiative, saying the proposed upgrades will improve the community’s infrastructure, appearance and quality of life.
For Bush Lot, the proposed works include improvements to roads and drainage, pedestrian infrastructure, bridges and public spaces, along with street lighting, landscaping, fire hydrants and other amenities.
Among the planned upgrades, Bush Lot, which spans about 391 acres and has more than 300 households, is set to benefit from six roads, 14.8 kilometres of concrete drains, walkways, hard shoulders and five culverts. Plans also include 11 bridge upgrades, 12 fire hydrants, improved utility infrastructure, streetlights, community amenities and the planting of about 590 trees, as part of efforts to create greener and more attractive surroundings.
Among residents welcoming the plans, Nasiya Somra described the initiative as “very timely,” noting that development should extend beyond physical infrastructure.
“It’s high-time our landscape is matching our fastest-growing economy in the world, and this initiative is not something, it’s beyond the infrastructure. It’s about fostering community care, community beautification, and it’s about time that the residents and the citizens of this country get the type of drainage, community beautification, and the care we deserve. And this initiative does just that,” she said.
Longtime resident Christopher Bissoon said the proposed improvements represent another step in the development of a community he has called home for 37 years. Bissoon, who is eager to see the works get under way, noted that he has witnessed significant growth in Bush Lot over the past five years and believes the initiative will take that progress further.
“With this initiative I see our community moving forward, more greener spaces, better roads, better drainage. There’s so much more that the government is going to put into this village, which I appreciate. I recently got a child, and she’s going to enjoy the benefits of this, what is happening now,” he said.
Resident Anurdha Seenarine added that the initiative would benefit people across generations, particularly senior citizens and children.
“The President has done a very excellent initiative in this region, and a lot of senior citizens are going to benefit from this initiative. Also, children and younger kids are growing up, and the region, the people of Bush Lot, are very happy for this initiative,” she remarked.
While Bush Lot residents are focused on the physical changes, the Government explained that the Model Village Initiative is intended to go beyond roads, drains and beautification. President Dr Irfaan Ali has stated that the initiative must also examine how communities can be connected to new economic opportunities. In Region Five, that includes exploring ways to add value to agricultural production through processing, packaging and other activities.
