We must focus more on protecting our heritage structures

Aug 16, 2020 Letters

Dear Editor,

With all that has been happening in Guyana, I would hope that at some point this government would place this matter on their expanding “To-do list”.

All over Guyana (with emphasis on the main areas) are incomplete structures of buildings; most with just the skeletal steel frames. The majority of these unfinished structures have been in the same state for at least six years or more.

People of Guyana, let’s face it; these are abandoned sites that will never be completed. My guess is either financial issues or legal wrangling are reasons for their current state. “Whatever” the reason for incompleteness, Guyana should make it a priority to get rid of these semi-completed structures. They are embarrassing eyesores, for those of us who travel to Guyana frequently. These abandoned locations, even if on private land, need to be reclaimed by the government; and then resold to private individuals or acquired by the government.

In fairness, a public notice should be placed in papers with intent of pending possession. There should be no exceptions for owner (s) to ask for delays to complete these sites, for the simple fact that they have had more than five years to get the structures completed.

I bring these abandoned sites to our attention, because over six years ago a Church that was over 100 years old in the middle of a market was destroyed and in its place is now a business building. That was just stunning. Does it makes sense to destroy historical structures, when they are unfinished structures that we all know will never be completed? No, I don’t think so. Instead of destroying part of who we are, this administration should reclaim these sites that have obviously been abandoned, to make way for new buildings.

All over Europe/Asia/America and even some of our neighbours in South America are sites of all kinds that go back to the 11th century, which are tourist destinations, including 15th century Buddhist temples in the middle of the Asian jungles. Another hot tourist destination spots are the Mayan structures in the jungles of Central America, which have been there for over two thousand years.

I bring this issue up, looking into the future. We must preserve our heritage, which includes the magical old buildings with wooden exteriors, even those dilapidated. These buildings are unique and not seen anywhere else. We must protect our history/heritage.

Yours truly
Chi Kansi

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