Sod turned for reconstruction of Umana Yana

– to be completed in six months

The reconstruction of the Umana Yana is expected to be completed within the next six months. This is according to Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe.

On Wednesday, the Minister made the announcement at the sod-turning ceremony for the reconstruction of the heritage site. The sod was turned by Toshaos Lennox Shuman and John Derrick at the High Street, Kingston location.

Speaking at the event, Minister Garrido-Lowe said that it was a significant occasion to mark the ending of Indigenous Heritage Month.

“It was historic in 1972 when the Umana Yana, 55 feet in height, was built for a visiting foreign delegation as a conference centre and it was a total disaster and a sad day in 2014 Heritage Month, the ninth of September, that this building was burnt down…due to electrical problems,” Garrido-Lowe said. She added that the rebuilding of the Umana Yana was a reminder that the nine indigenous nations were the first peoples of Guyana.

She added that the first Umana Yana was built without nails by the Wai-Wai nation, adding that “once again the Wai-Wais will be constructing the new Umana Yana, supported by the village of Moraikobai and the people of St Cuthbert’s who will be providing the materials.”

She expressed her appreciation for Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine whom she revealed designed the new building.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson also made some brief remarks, emphasising how pleased he was that the Ministry would be playing a part in the reconstruction of one of Guyana’s most revered monuments. He revealed that the reconstruction project was budgeted to cost Gy$60.7 million and would be a joint initiative between the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the indigenous people.

He also revealed that the Public Infrastructure Ministry would be involved in the construction of the building’s foundation, stating “we are expecting to raise the foundation by 12 inches above the existing one so that it can withstand all the elements. Gy$9.2 million of the Gy$60 million will be tendered, and that will start very shortly, for the foundation”.

He added that the villages of Moraikobai and St Cuthbert’s Mission would be providing the leaves for the construction of the roof, revealing that Gy$16 million was budgeted for the installation of solar panels to provide the structure with power. He further revealed that the master builder would be Collin Andrews, of the Wai-Wai people, who he called on to ensure that the Umana Yana was completed in a timely manner. “We expect it to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2016, in six months’ time…well in time for our independence anniversary,” he said in closing his presentation.

Also present at the event was Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes, who stated that the Umana Yana played an important role in Guyana’s history and heritage. “Myself, along with most Guyanese, felt the tremendous loss when this historic building went up in flames. A lot of visitors to Guyana that I had the pleasure of showing around, for them…this was a regular path,” she reflected. “Today is really a celebration; it is a celebration that we are going to put back that very, very important landmark in our city. It is important that it is rebuilt in the same manner, by the same experts,” she stated.

The iconic benab was completely destroyed on September 9, 2014 when a fire of unknown origin swept through the structure, reducing one of Georgetown’s most prestigious landmarks to mere ashes. The Umana Yana was erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Georgetown. Thereafter, it served as a VIP Lounge and recreation centre, and was in constant use as an exhibition and conference centre.