The Esau and Jacob community on the right bank of the Mahaicony River  on Friday received two computers, printers and stationery from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

During the handing over ceremony at the Esau and Jacob Primary School, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Sewchan told residents that the  project which comes under the “Replicable Poverty Link-ages Programme” is in  keeping with government’s plan to nurture information technology as part of the nation-building process.

According to  the Government Information Agency (GINA), Sewchan said  it will serve as the IT foundation for Region Five areas and  expressed the hope that similar projects would be generated to benefit other communities in Mahaicony.

The permanent secretary  appealed to the residents to ensure accountability, sustainability and proper management of the computers and expressed gratitude that the UNDP has been granting funds yearly for the past three years to promote technology, reduce poverty and create employment.

Regional Chairman Harrinarine Baldeo promised that more such projects would be replicated to benefit others in the Mahaicony area.

Meanwhile, residents of Grove/Diamond and Mocha Arcadia Housing Schemes, East Bank Demerara benefited from a donation of livestock, including goats and sheep through the Replicable Poverty Linkages project. It involves working closely and strategically with local partners in the design and implementation of community-based programmes.

The communities were selected based on consultations held under the Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP), throughout the country in the various regions. Several programmes are ongoing in Regions Three, Four, and Five, and additional regions are expected to benefit as the programme continues, GINA concluded.