Ministry open to adjusting Mash plans, Canterbury says

-as decision to change route sees criticism

Following an announcement by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday confirming a change in the annual Mashramani route, Coordinator of the event Lennox Canterbury has stated that the ministry is open to accommodating adjustments to the plan.

Acknowledging that there were stakeholders that were both for and against the new route, Canterbury reiterated the reasons for the route change, and charged the media to raise any concerns they may have in relation to the event.

“In as much as we have things set, we can have changes and we are open to that. We are also open to new ideas,” Canterbury said on Wednesday during a press briefing.

Minister with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport Nicolette Henry on Tuesday defended the ministry’s decision to change the Mashramani route to the one utilised last May for the Independence jubilee parade, while citing security as the major determinant.

Also a major deciding factor, as pointed out by Canterbury on Wednesday, was the ministry’s intention to have the Mashramani parade fall within the government’s vision for a green economy. A parade passing the Merriman Mall route would interfere with developments occurring there, he said.

Traditionally, the Mashramani parade would begin at Camp and Church streets, proceed east and then north into Irving Street, continuing onto JB Lachmansingh Road, then west onto Thomas Lands and from there the revelers would congregate at the National Park.

The new route will begin at the Stabroek Market Square, from where the parade would proceed along Brickdam to the D’Urban Park. It is much shorter.

The decision to have such a change has been widely criticised across social media. The Minister, according to a press statement issued on Tuesday, asserted that the choice was not made solely by the ministry, but an informed decision, based on feedback.

According to the statement, the safety of patrons was the primary reason for the change of route, as security concerns have been expressed by sections of the national security agencies, particularly in relation to Church and Irving streets. It is thought that patrons will be safer viewing the parade from the stands at the D’Urban Park, which can reportedly seat as many as 30,000 people, as well as enjoy the festivities from the Square of the Revolution.

Other reasons that influenced the decision to adopt the shorter route were the historical significance of the route, it being youth-friendly and an improved viewing experience offered by D’Urban Park.

“In the past when the procession started at the junction of Camp and Church streets, children were not included but as of last year a decision was taken to add a children component to the parade, hence, the length of the route had to be made shorter to accommodate them as a more youth friendly approach,” the minister stated. The elderly were also considered. It was stated that the arrangement will allow ‘shut-ins at the Palms’ to enjoy the event from the safety of the compound.

Henry also noted Brickdam’s history as the first road in Guyana to be paved, and pointed out that its use would better facilitate the movement of bands, usually impeded by the limited space at the starting point of the traditional route and the ‘bottleneck effect’ created at Irving and Church streets.

Additionally, Canterbury, responding to concerns on social media that the new route would disadvantage small vendors who would dot the traditional route, stated that the vending space at the D’Urban Park and the Square of the Revolution are adequate, which was evidenced during the 2016 Jubilee Parade.

Furthermore, he said patrons would have the opportunity to picnic at the Square of the Revolution, D’urban Park and along Homestretch Avenue.

Asked about the change in route, street vendors were mixed on the decision. There were some who strongly believe in the street vending culture that has come to be associated with the Mashramani parade, while some noted that a shorter route took away from the celebrations.

For confectionery and snacks vendor Damian Clarke, it is simply a bad business decision. “From a business perspective, no, its’s too short, first thing. Number two, there’s nobody liming on the road,” Clarke stated. He noted too that with the new route, it was difficult for everyone to see and experience the parade.

“The problem also is when you use the D’Urban Park, by the time the last float comes in and the place gets like this, it done. For me, everybody should stay home…When we been on that road there, they had like vending on Vlissengen Road and the parade was straight up Church Street, turn on Irving Street…and when they gone into the National Park the place would still be lively because they got a set here, a set here, a set there, you know?” Clarke stated.

Other vendors had more positive things to say about the new route following their experience last year. Dexter McLean, a vendor of drinks and packaged snacks, related that in all his years of vending along the Mashramani parade, he had never sold out. Last year, however, so well were his sales that he had had to leave to restock.

Fruit vendor Leroy Whyte also spoke in favour of the route, stating that there had been more space, a larger crowd capacity and faster sales.