Little and Big Biaboo to get GPL power for the first time

-remedial work on access road to bring relief to farmers

-new bridge to be catered for in 2021 budget

By Akeasha Boodie

Residents in the agriculture-based communities of Little Biaboo and Big Biaboo are to receive electricity from the power grid for the first time and see sustained community development under the PPP/C Government.

Today, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar, visited the communities along the Mahaica Creek, in Regions Four and Five, and addressed issues raised by residents, including electricity connectivity and the rehabilitation of roads and bridges.

More than 1,200 residents will benefit when the communities receive power.

“We are committed to providing electricity for the area.  […] I have instructed GPL to look to this area, because we understand that people suffer for too long here,” Minister Indar said.

Residents had petitioned the previous administration for electricity as the communities expanded but no move was made to initiate this project. Instead, steps were taken to raise the land tax following a visit by former Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.

Today’s visit by Minister Indar was his second in recent weeks and comes less than two weeks after residents wrote to President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, outlining their concerns.

Residents currently rely on solar systems and generators for power, but these do not provide stable supplies throughout the day.

GPL plans to conduct assessments in the areas to determine how soon electricity could be installed.  Additionally, Deputy CEO – Strategic Operations, Mr. Samaroo Ramtahal said the company would also install street lights in the area as requested by Minister Indar.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council, Region Five, Mr. Vickhand Ramphal said farmers are now in a better position to have the main access road to their farmlands developed.  He noted that some funds have been set aside in Budget 2020 for remedial works on the De Hoop branch road, leading into Little and Big Biaboo, as well as several roads in Region Five.

“[It’s going to] be very beneficial to me and everybody; fast access with the produce to the market [and] we will have more hucksters to come,” 55-year-old farmer, Mr. Deochand Ramcharitar said. Additionally, residents have requested that maintenance works be done on the access bridge at Big Biaboo. The bridge has been in existence for 10-15 years, but was neglected over the last five years.

“The bridge needs urgent repair. Rice farmers, cash crop farmers [and] residents use the bridge every day,” Mr. Karamnarine Deopersaud, a resident and farmer told DPI.  “Under the bridge, the beams are cracked, so if you want to do construction nobody wants to carry your stuff,” he added.

Cultivation in the area is about 1000-1,200 acres of rice, As such, a number of farmers are relying more on boats to transport their produce, by way of the Mahaica Creek.

The Minister explained that due to the constraints of the emergency budget and the poor state of economy inherited from the previous administration, works on the bridge will be budgeted for 2021. He then charged residents to ensure that when the bridge is rebuilt, combines and other heavy-duty vehicles are prohibited from routinely using it.