Ituni Explained

Official Name:Ituni
Settlement Type:village
Pushpin Map:Guyana
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Guyana
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Guyana
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Name1:Upper Demerara-Berbice
Leader Title:Chairman
Leader Name:Curt Murphy[1]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population As Of:2012
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:676
Timezone:UTC-4
Blank Name:Climate
Blank Info:Af

Ituni is a village in the interior of Guyana, at an altitude of 100 metres (331 feet). The area grew as a result of bauxite mining in the area.[3]

Ituni is closely affiliated with Linden, its closest neighbours are Kwakwani, Aroaima, Maple Town and Laddern's Ville on the Berbice River. It is located between two of Guyana's major rivers, the Berbice and the Demerara.[4] It has a primary school, Howell Wilson Primary School, but students attend secondary school in Kwakwani or Linden.

In 1946, a railway line opened between Ituni and Mackenzie. Even though the line was for mining operations, irregular passenger trains continued until 1982. The railway line has been replaced by trucks, however most of the track is still in place.[5]

In the active times of Demerara Bauxite Company (owned by Alcan[6]), Ituni had consistent water and electricity.[7] Ituni depends solely on logging for its economic livelihood. It has the Ituni Small Loggers Association.[8]

Poor conditions of the Linden/Kwakwani road led to a protest in 2013 by residents of Ituni and other Berbice river communities. The road serves as lifeline for the people of the sub-region and was in a state of disrepair for decades.[9] [10]

In 2019, a well was installed by Guyana Water Incorporated. Before, water was only provided for two hours a day.[11]

References

  1. Web site: Ituni gets asphalted roads for first time. Guyana Chronicle.
  2. Web site: 2012 Population by Village. Statistics Guyana. 16 August 2020.
  3. Web site: Ituni Bauxite Mine. Industry About. 16 August 2020.
  4. Web site: 2012-03-04. Ituni. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
  5. Web site: Mining Railways in Guyana, 2014 . International Steam. 16 August 2020.
  6. Grant. C. H.. 1971. Company Towns in the Caribbean: A Preliminary Analysis of Christianburg-Wismar-Mackenzie. Caribbean Studies. 11. 1. 46–72. 25612363. 0008-6533.
  7. Web site: 2008-04-14. 'We live in hell,' Ituni resident says. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
  8. Web site: 2020-10-19. Ituni loggers get 2,005 tracking tags. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
  9. Web site: 2013-09-04. Ituni blockade lifted, 14 protestors arrested. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
  10. Web site: 2013-09-11. Kwakwani logger apologises for clash with cops in road protest. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.
  11. Web site: 2019-10-21. Ituni to get improved roads, water supply and street lights. 2021-01-05. Stabroek News. en-US.