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Agricola residents grateful for solar-powered bus shed
By Feona Morrison
There is this saying that encourages one to have appreciation for the smallest things in life because one day you will look back and realize how big they were.
The solar-powered bus shed that was recently erected at Agricola.
Well, at least this is the position of residents of Agricola, East Bank Demerara, who recently benefited from a solar-powered bus shed.
Equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) and charging ports, the bus shed is situated at Flour Mill Road, and is a gift from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) in an effort towards a ‘green’ economy.
Earlier this year, Mahendra Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the GEA, had disclosed that the bus shed will serve a dual purpose by also providing solar power for lighting of the Independence Arch, which was erected at Agricola in observance of the country’s Golden Jubilee Independence.
“Government has made a budgetary allocation of $1 billion to implement a series of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 2017. The renewable energy programme for 2017 will entail the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on the rooftops of about 64 government buildings and a solar photovoltaic farm for the town of Mabaruma,” Sharma had disclosed in January during the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s year in review.
Sharma had said that the initiative was also in recognition of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson in his 2017 budget speech had said that the arch was erected at a cost of $20M with assistance from corporate society.
The minister had disclosed that discussions were ongoing to supply free Wi-Fi in the bus sheds, several of which are to be placed across the country.
The shed serves a dual purpose by also providing solar power for lighting of the Independence Arch.
Meanwhile, many residents of the small community have expressed gratitude for what they deem a “scarce feature” in villages on the East Bank of Demerara. This bus shed is the first of its kind in Agricola.
June Fields, an elder in the community said that she is overjoyed to know that the village is being remembered by those in power. “It is nice to know that we (Agricola) still exist in the minds of some people. I have lived here most of my life. From awakening to gunshots and police knocking on my door, it is great to see that emphasis is being placed on community development.”
When asked to give her thoughts on Government’s efforts in utilizing renewable energy, another resident, Shantel Layne, stated, “Using solar, hydro and wind energy is definitely a step in the right direction. They are not harmful to the environment and most developed countries are gravitating towards using them.”
Layne pointed out that the bus shed benefits from the youngest to the oldest persons in the village. The woman said that it is a “saviour” especially for persons waiting for transportation on rainy days.
“Many days I would pass and see persons sitting or standing under there. Although it is not located in line with the East Bank major road, it still serves its purpose in protecting persons from the elements. I just want to urge other residents to keep it clean and to not destroy it, so that it can be useful for many generations to come.”
A teacher from a nearby school expressed that she is breathing much lighter knowing that children are now able to await transportation in a secured structure.
“We’re grateful for this very kind gesture. This will help to ensure a safe school environment,” the educator added.
According to a wide cross-section of residents in the area, the installation of bus sheds should be extended to other communities across the country.
The outpouring of gratitude from these persons gives weight to a quote by William Arthur Ward, which reads: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
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