Gov’t to stick by Brickdam route for Mash

Jan 18, 2017 News

Junior Minister within the Ministry of Education Culture Youth and Sports Nicolette Henry says

Nicolette Henry, Junior Minister within the Ministry of Education Culture Youth and Sports.

that the changing of the float parade route was necessitated by a number of factors which she couldn’t overlook.
The previous route enabled contingents to traverse from the junction of Church and Camps Streets along Church Street before turning onto Irving Street with the final destination the National Park. The new route will now take revelers and floats from Stabroek Market Square onto Brickdam and then to Durban Park.
Henry says chief among the reasons for her decision was the considerable safety risk the Church and Irving Streets Junction poses. The Minister said that the limited space that is available at that junction for low bed trucks to turn exposes a significant risk to revelers who are always gathered there in large numbers.
She said that she does not want an accident there to end in death under her watch. “I have had discussions with the Mash Coordinator who briefed me on his misgivings on this issue and I agree”.
Another issue with the Church Street route is the current development taking place along the Merriman Mall. Having persons there will damage the recently planted trees and the other beautifications which is not valued for money, she said.
The historical significance of Brickdam was yet another reason Henry gave for the route change. She noted that this was the first paved street in the history of Guyana and considering Mashramani is a national event it’s only fitting that this street is used.
She admitted that while there are disadvantages, the advantages far outweighed

Mash parade along the Brickdam route last year.

the former. It was noted that for the first time during the Golden Jubilee Celebrations the senior citizens at the Palms were able to experience Mash from their place of abode.
Added to that, Henry noted the assembly point, (Stabroek Market), will allow for greater freedom and numbers for floats and bands.
The route is shorter and will facilitate the participation of children for the first time in the major float parade. The previous route would have been too long and would have contributed to tiredness among the children.
Durban Park has a capacity of 30,000, the largest venue in Guyana, and more persons will be able to view the floats as they enter the park. She said that Square of the Revolution will also add to the number of person who can observe the float parade.
She said that it was a ‘no-brainer’ not to be sold on this new route.

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