Moruca deserves better infrastructures

Mar 18, 2025 Letters

Dear Editor,

As I traveled to Moruca on March 14, 2024, I was shocked by the conditions at the Charity Stelling. Despite over $ 4 trillion being budgeted for and most spent between 2020 and 2025 in Guyana, the facility still lacks toilets or even a place to wash your hands. While a new shed was built for Moruca residents waiting for boats, washroom facilities were not included in the plan—a major oversight. This is unacceptable for a country ranked as the 27th richest in the world. Basic amenities like toilets and clean water should be a priority.

Moving forward on my journey, I noticed hundreds of coconut husks being dumped into the river by individuals peeling them. The owner of the operation appears wealthy, with a beautiful building, yet allows his workers to pollute the river. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which must be aware of this, seems to be turning a blind eye.

It is concerning that someone can profit significantly from the coconut industry yet refuse to invest in proper waste management. Instead of polluting the river, these coconut husks could be recycled into value-added products. This careless destruction of our environment must stop.

As I continued to Moruca, I was pleased to see that the riverway had been cleared, improving boat safety by removing dangerous debris. However, upon reaching Kamaka, I enquired about the cost of the new stelling and river cleaning, but no one seemed to know. Even more concerning, no toilet facilities were built at Kamaka either. This is a major problem since passengers often wait for hours before a boat departs.

Infrastructure in Moruca remains severely neglected. Beyond the main road, internal roads—especially in Kamaka—are in terrible condition, making transportation difficult, particularly in the rainy season. It is deeply unfair that the PPP government has spent over $ 4 trillion in four years yet has failed to invest in proper infrastructure for Moruca, one of Guyana’s oldest settlements and home to our Indigenous people.

Moruca has great tourism potential, along with opportunities for fish farming and agriculture, but high transportation costs—due to poor roads—make food and essential goods expensive. The road to Mora remains in nearly the same state as four years ago, and although electricity lines are finally being installed, residents may only receive 14 hours of electricity per day. The AFC is demanding that Moruca residents be given 24-hour electricity like other parts of the country.

The people of Moruca are struggling, and many say life is getting harder. While they welcomed the cash grant, which the AFC lobbied for, they are looking forward to the 2025 grant to help ease expenses. Finally, while Moruca is beautiful, a troubling trend is emerging in Kamaka, where a Georgetown-style habit of littering is taking root. This must be addressed before it worsens. Meanwhile, the village of Kamwatta remains clean, peaceful, and free of rum shops. Its councilor, who also serves as a pastor, is doing an excellent job.

Moruca deserves better roads, proper waste management, access to clean water, and 24-hour electricity. The government must act to improve the quality of life for its residents.

Sincerely,

Michael Carrington

AFC Vice Chairman

(Moruca deserves better infrastructures)

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better infrastructures, Kamaka, Moruca, Residents, value-added products

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