–for transportation, agriculture

Residents of villages in the Pakaraima Region are expected to benefit from a donation of some 18 tractors which are expected to significantly ease transportation woes in the area, while providing other benefits.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, speaking at a brief ceremony in the compound of Farm Supplies/GENEQUIP at McDoom on the East Bank Demerara, said that the small 35HP, 4WD tractors are expected to improve transportation as well as agricultural activities in the area. He said the handing-over ceremony was a special moment for Coordinator of Hinterland Affairs within the Local Government Ministry Harripersaud Nokta, who he noted played a pivotal role in encouraging residents in the villages to assist in the development of roads in the area.

Hinds said the residents played their part in developing the roads linking their communities, which were built by the residents “with their bare hands” and according to him, the rest of the population can take a page out of the book of the hinterland residents, noting that for the residents, “it is not a situation where, they would say, we can do nothing”.

He said there was “a lot of writings” in the press about development in the hinterland areas, but according to him, such writings “achieve nothing if it does not bring improvements to people’s lives”. Hinds said he should “bow deeply” to Nokta as regards yesterday’s event, adding he was confident that the tractors were robust enough to operate in the interior communities. He also extended a challenge to the suppliers of the tractors, Farm Supplies, to keep its end of the bargain in providing spare parts and maintenance if/when the need arises.

The Prime Minister said the donation was a reward for hard work undertaken by the residents of the 18 villages over the years, noting that he was pleased that “this day has come”. Public Works Minister Robeson Benn stated that some $230 million will be expended this year on road works as well as sourcing of equipment to undertake road works in the Region Eight area. He said the overall interest where the tractors are concerned would be that the vehicles be maintained properly.

Nokta said great things start from small and according to him, looking back at life in Region Eight over the years, travelling had been difficult. He said residents could expect improvements in the conditions of roads in their villages, noting that as agricultural production improves in the area, he would like to see trucks going into and returning from hinterland areas laden.

One of several persons who will be employed as drivers for the tractors told this newspaper at the conclusion of yesterday’s event, that the roads in the communities were constructed manually by residents using pick-axes, shovels and hoes. He said that the roads linking the areas were generally in a bad state, noting that rainy weather has been a key factor.

The tractors would be used by residents of Region Eight and Nine villages in the Pakaraimas, including Monkey Mountain, Taruka, Itabac, Kanapang, Tiger Pond, Karasabai and Teperu among others. Region Eight Chairman Senor Bell, who was present at yesterday’s ceremony said that a committee would be set up at the Regional Democratic Council level in the areas to monitor the use and maintenance of the tractors. Each tractor, valued at $2.5 million, is equipped with a trailer, mould plough and box scraper and the authorities will make available to each village, $1.2 million to cover fuel and maintenance for the first year of use.