Updated maps of Georgetown are not available

Dear Editor,

My job entails having to consult the Gazetteer of Guyana and the latest Georgetown map – which map is more than 28 years old. They are all produced by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission.

Several years ago at a public forum, Lands and Surveys Commission’s Andrew Bishop proudly adumbrated and enumerated how modern the LSC had become through assistance from especially Germany.

I have often since then wondered why LSC did not do updates of its in some instances very outdated publications. I have frequently made mention of this to its office assistants.

Alas, at GuyExpo 2007 I saw on display what LSC officials said was a recent publication of the Gazetteer of Guyana – which brings this letter to the first point.

In my company’s edition of the Gazetteer, dated simply Georgetown, 2001, I cannot find – nor could officials of LSC at GuyExpo 2007 – a village named Plantain Walk on the West Bank Demerara.

It is an official postal address and bounded by Vreed-en-Hoop on the north and Phoenix Town/Park on the south. Could someone please give me the page number in either publication where Plantain Walk could be found?

Also, at GuyExpo 2007 I enquired from LSC about an updated Georgetown map. This was because I am seeing fields and open spaces on my map instead of homesteads – Evan Phillips Park and Sophia being cases in point. The answer: No – and not in the near future(!).

When I enquired about the availability of county maps, being mainly interested in Demerara’s, I was told: No. Never existed. But, I was informed, one or all can be formatted for me. (It was as if these maps could serve no practical purpose!) The price? “When you come in.” When LSC was counterinformed that GuySuCo is in possession of these, well