Permanent Secretary at the ministry Nigel Dharamlall handed over the keys to the vehicle to Toshao of Shulinab Vibert Ignace, a press release from the Government Information Agency said.
At a simple ceremony held to mark the occasion, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai said the tractor was procured at a cost of $6.7 million and is expected to serve the Shea, Shulinab, Baitun, Parikwarinau, Potarinau Kattur and Meriwau communities. The $1.4 million trailer will serve the sub-district of Karasabai which comprises four other satellite communities. Shea has also received a plough valued $700,000.
The minister said the heavy-duty equipment was purchased with the combined presidential grants of several villages and is essential to boosting of agricultural production. “These communities will establish a management committee to determine the management, use and maintenance of the equipment,” she said. Sukhai said she was impressed by the pooling together of resources in an effort to enhance transportation service in the communities and add to their assets in the sub-region.
In response the Toshao thanked the minister for the equipment stating that it will greatly assist the South Central communities in their agricultural pursuits and income generation. Ignace will be assisted by a driver in taking the vehicles to Lethem.
