Communication is vital for survival. For almost 200 years Moruca has been lacking in this regard, relying on traditional means of communicating, travelling, postal service and later radio sets. A few years ago, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited installed a solar- energised pre- paid phone service. At the time this was one of the best things that could have happened in Moruca. Persons did not mind the long queues. There was direct communication. But after a while the service became disrupted. Then came Digicel. At the time one resident claimed, “ there was a big epidemic that took over Moruca. At first we thought it was an ear problem because everyone was holding their ear, almost everyone had a cellphone.” Digicel has completely locked down the community with its cellular service there.
The service is accessible at Kumaka, Santa Rosa and Islands, part of Waramuri, and even at selected spots some miles up the Kumaka Road and Kwebanna, 22 miles from Santa Rosa. The service has flabber gasted the community and has indeed revolutionised the community. Dolores Rodrigues recalled the 1940s when the only communication service was postal. Around 19: 00h individuals would assemble at Acquero, at the time that was the administrative centre, to wait on the mail boat.
The post master would then call out the names of persons who had received mails. “ Sometimes it would pass down a long line to get to you, but it was quite an occasion, persons looked forward to Friday evenings to see if they had mails,” she said. Today however, the world is a phone call away from Moruca. “ In February 2008, Digicel, Guyana’s leading mobile communications provider launched its state- of- the- art network in Santa Rosa, Region One. Since then, residents have been able to connect with friends and family in Guyana and around the world,” said Digicel’s Public Relations Officer Shonnet Moore.
As the residents prepare to celebrate Moruca Day 2010, Digicel Guyana CEO, Gregory Dean, says the company is very pleased to be part of the celebrations. “ Digicel has always believed in the rich resources of Santa Rosa, the entire North West District of Guyana, and the amazing potential of the people who live and work in that area. Since our launch in Santa Rosa, we have supported Moruca Day and we are very happy to give residents a chance to showcase what they have to offer to the rest of the country,” he said. Santa Rosa is the focal point for the Moruca subregion and serves as the central business district. Digicel’s presence in the region has helped to accelerate development in the community.
Meanwhile, Digicel has also supported the marketing efforts for two women’s empowerment groups in Moruca: the Mariaba Craft Group and the Urukutan Women’s Group. Digicel will be actively participating in Moruca Day 2010 and encourages persons to attend this exciting event.
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