February 10, 2011 | BY KAIETEUR NEWS
A multi-based committee has been formed to oversee the restoration of the New Amsterdam Town Council Tower. The committee which is made up of Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA), the Regional Administration, the Private Sector, other private Business Community and other interesting individuals is known as the New Amsterdam Tower Restoration Committee.
The committee comprises Imran Saccoor, Republic Bank New Amsterdam Branch manager, Chairman; Imran Ally of the Regional Administration, Vice Chairman; Town Clerk, Angela Collins, secretary, Accountant; and businessman Clement De Nobrega will serve as Treasurer.
Mayor Claude Henry is the Public Relations Officer with Arvindo Krishnalall his assistant.
The committee members are Mr. Philip Da Silva of the University of Guyana Berbice campus, Anil Beharry of the New Building Society, Gavin Moriah of A. Ally and Sons, Businessman Gordon Vandenburg and Mark Bhikhai of Ansa McAl Guyana Limited.
According to Chairman of the Restoration committee, Imran Saccoor, the BCCDA received a letter from the town council in respect to helping the council rectify the tower. He sated that the Chamber, at a meeting, decided that instead of making a contribution it should lobby other bodies and hold a think tank to see the best way in helping the council restored the tower and hold a meeting with the council to see the best way forward.
Mr. Saccoor said that in speaking with other stakeholders in the town and in wider Berbice the consensus was that they would not want to see another masterpiece go by the way side like the old New Amsterdam hospital and some other historical sites.
Another reason is that the town hall is at a central point and as such is of interest to everybody. Stakeholders also feel that such an edifice and at such a location if left to go to pieces would be an eyesore.
The stakeholders also see it as an opportunity to uphold their corporate responsibility and give back in a general way to society and the community.
As series of meeting have so far been held and a number of initiatives have been taken to have the Tower restored.
In the meanwhile the committee will be launched on Friday, at the Berbice Chamber of Commerce Office in Chapel Street, New Amsterdam, beginning at 13:00 hrs.
At the launching the committee will unveil a series of activities planned towards restoring the tower, including Super Concerts, a Berbice Regatta, Shows and evening of entertainment and Food Festival among other activities.
Expected to speak at the ceremony are Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha Mayor Claude Henry, BCCDA chairman Gyandat Marray, Restoration Committee chairman Imran Saccoor and Clement De Nobrega amongst others.
New Amsterdam mayor Claude Henry stated that the initiative is a good one and that the entire council is very excited with the enthusiasm shown by stakeholders.
He is urging other stakeholders to get on board in helping to preserve the historic piece.