![Tourism Minister (ag), Irfaan Ali along with other officials during the official launch of the Pakaraima Mountain Safari. [iNews' Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/www.inewsguyana.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/IMG_7270.jpg)
“The Region, the country’s fifth largest, possesses no proper roads, despite the Government’s ‘Safari.’ The entire region remains virtually inaccessible by road and is dependent on expensive air transport for travelling, evacuation of medical patients and cargo” the Party said in a statement.
The APNU added that its parliamentary team assessed the plight of the Pakaraimas during a weekend visit to the villages of Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek and Yawong-Mountain Foot where it saw that most of Paramakatoi – the principal and most populous village in the sub-region – has been without running water for over three months owing to the non-functioning of facilities installed in late 2012.
“This situation severely affects the 500 secondary school students housed in the dormitory in the Paramakatoi Secondary School, who have to form ‘bucket brigades’ from early morning.”
APNU condemned what it said was the neglect to which the Potaro-Siparuni Region is subjected to. The Partnership calls on the government to address as a matter of urgent priority, “the need for a comprehensive developmental plan and for the central government to immediately respect the constitutional role of the Regional Democratic Council in administering the region”.
Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali at the launch of the event last week had said he was particularly passionate of the fact that the event will significantly promote Amerindian Villages and Guyana’s very own community Based Tourism.
He explained that participants will be provided with a list of items to be sold on the route by persons residing in those communities.
The event which is dubbed ‘an adventure of a lifetime’ will take participants on eight days of thrilling adventures beginning April 12 – 19.
