Granger declares Bartica regatta open, urges transformation to town

Opposition Leader David Granger yesterday declared open the Bartica Regatta and called again for it to be transformed into a town

A release yesterday from A Partnership for National Unity said yesterday that Granger, declared open the Bartica Regatta in the Cuyuni/Mazaruni, Region No. 7.

President Donald Ramotar (left) greets Opposition leader David Granger at the Regatta. (GINA photo)
President Donald Ramotar (left) greets Opposition leader David Granger at the Regatta. (GINA photo)

“He wished the thousands of residents and visitors a Happy Easter and took the opportunity to remind them that both the Regatta at Bartica and the Rodeo at Lethem, Region No. 9, were established by Wilton Angoy, who served as District Commissioner in the Rupununi and Mazaruni Districts respectively”, APNU said.

APNU said that Granger called once again for Bartica to be made a Town since it has its own aerodrome, bank, hotels, hospital, market, religious institutions, police station, schools, etc and is the administrative centre of a region  larger than the Netherlands.

APNU stated that he also called for greater involvement of the Indigenous people of the Upper Mazaruni in the Regatta.

Granger, APNU noted,  spent his childhood at Bartica.

Following the APNU release, GINA issued its own in which it said the main event, speedboat racing, was officially opened  by President Donald Ramotar who brought greetings on behalf of the Guyana Government while addressing patrons from the main pavilion.

The Regatta, according to President Ramotar, fosters a reunion of Barticians as many from the riverain communities also attend this annual event.

GINA said he declined several invitations to go jet-skiing while meeting and greeting the competitors of this year’s races, but was patient with several requests for photo opportunities.

President Donald Ramotar poses with visitors to the regatta. (GINA photo)
President Donald Ramotar poses with visitors to the regatta. (GINA photo)
Action at the regatta. (GINA photo)
Action at the regatta. (GINA photo)