The Region Seven Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has approved committees for the mining, transportation, agriculture and tourism sectors.
In a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Regional Chairman Holbert Knights said nine sector committees have been approved. He said the RDC will work closely with the relevant ministries to develop a five-year plan that takes current issues into consideration. At a recent meeting with stakeholders in the region, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said that a hinterland development plan is in the making to promote agriculture in Regions One, Eight and Nine. Knights said the region intends to revive the agriculture sector with assistance from the ministry and collaboration on policies, development of crop cultivation and livestock rearing. A regional agriculture officer will be recruited to assist farmers.
In the health sector, Knights said more attention would be given to health education and preventative treatment to promote healthy living. In the education sector, the RDC said information technology will be introduced at all levels of the region’s schools while the school feeding programme would be integrated into the agricultural activities as small-scale farmers would supply the produce for this programme. The RDC will also seek royalties from the gold and diamond mining sector for infrastructural maintenance.
Knights said the women’s affairs committee has proposed to boost craft production in preparation for the Cricket World Cup but the Women’s Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security would have to approve it. The region has also embarked on an enhancement programme that will include the clearing and desilting of drains, extension of beaches, garbage collection and disposal as well as the construction of garbage receptacles along streets, the planting of trees and the posting of directional signs and lamp posts. Additionally, historical sites and tourist attractions, including the ruins at Fort Kyk-Over-Al, Marshall and White Water falls will be spruced up. Last year, $77.3M was allocated for the region’s capital work projects.
GINA said in 2005 President Bharrat Jagdeo unveiled a $2B plan to upgrade Bartica that would bring economic benefits, particularly from the tourism sector, to the region. The plan included massive infrastructural improvements such as paving six streets and seven avenues, building a market, a state-of-the-art secondary school, a police station, a housing scheme at Four Miles and a water treatment plant. Some of these projects have already been completed.
