RESIDENTS of Abram Zuil and Cullen in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) are grateful for the installation of sea defences that could help to prevent erosion.
The Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure has expedited the government’s plans for sea defences to address coastal erosion.
In interviews with the Guyana Chronicle, residents of Cinderella County highlighted their concerns and thanked President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, for working towards fulfilling the promises they made to them regarding sea defences as well as the roads.
Taren John, a resident of Abram Zuil who lives on the outskirts of her land, which is also closest to the government reserve, told this publication that she is elated about the progress they see all over Guyana, but more so in her county.
According to Ms. John, “We are seeing that the trucks are bringing stones; they look like they are ready to work. This makes us happy to know that the government is working on giving us some protection from the water.”
“I am originally from the Pomeroon, and I remember when I came to live with my husband years ago in this community, we had to walk for almost 10 minutes to get to the beach. However, the water came in so much on the land that the beach is less than five minutes away from my home. When you are sitting under the shed of my home, you feel as though the beach is right in your backyard, and at nights when the place is quiet, we feel like the ocean will sweep in on us, with the loud rumbling of the waters. Even though we are accustomed to hearing it, it gets very scary at times.”
Ms. John also explained that other families are living very close to the reserve and are feeling agitated by the current rapid erosion of the land. Taren added, “This work needed to be done for a long time now for all of us and for our children. I feel better knowing that they will be protected in the future. On behalf of the people of Abram Zuil, we thank the government for doing this for us.”
According to Diane Singh, who comes from the village of Cullen on the Essequibo Coast, there used to be a friendly rivalry in cricket matches between the people of Cullen and Abram Zuil. They also enjoyed spending time together on the beaches during weekends and holidays. Unfortunately, Singh explained that this has changed because the land has eroded over the years.
“It is sad to see how the water took up most of the beaches and the land; it made huge sand banks and threw down the mangrove trees… The creek used to be separated by the beaches on both sides, but now everything is in one. You can’t identify what is ocean from what is beach and channel. We can’t stop Mother Nature’s work, but we can help prevent the damages that it can cause, and I am happy that our government is seeing the importance of this,” Singh said.
Finally, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with Pert, also known as “Shrimp Man,” who explained that he and the other fishermen could have brought their fishing boats up to the channel before, but because of the ocean’s destruction of the beach, they have to walk a long distance sometimes to get to and from their boats.
Pert also said that they are thankful that something is being done to secure the land and bring some relief to the people of the communities.
“When we have high tides, the water sometimes runs over the public road; the land looks like the ocean. Many times, we don’t know where the land is and where the ocean is. So, this is a very good thing that the President is doing. I must also thank Minister Edghill and Minister Indar for making sure that we, the people, are getting the things that we need. I see that the roads and streets are being done on the coast too, and we welcome that and are thankful for it,” he added.
In addition to the work that is being done on the sea defences, the roads in Somerset and Berks, and Charity, as well as several stretches of the public road along the Essequibo Coast, are currently undergoing repairs.
