Presidential Adviser on Community Development Odinga Lumumba says the government is working on several fronts to meet the pledges President Bharrat Jagdeo made to Buxtonians during a recent meeting there.
During his visit, which critics have dubbed an electioneering stunt, Jagdeo promised residents assistance with agriculture, education, access to low interest loans for single parents, and the restoration of the historic Tipperary Hall, among other things.
Lumumba on Thursday told Stabroek News that a tractor would be made available to help Buxton farmers, while the agricultural works which were underway prior to the president’s visit will continue with the Ministry of Agriculture spearheading them. Jagdeo had indicated that the state was prepared to help young people who wanted to start farming with land clearing and assistance to get the first crop in the ground. Additionally, he noted that the government had a pig breeding programme with imported stock from the US and Suriname which could improve the returns on pig rearing while they were also running a programme on breeding small ruminants.
Additionally, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and a team are assessing the koker in the community with an aim to reduce flooding in the area, Lumumba said. This is in keeping with another Jagdeo promise following concerns raised by farmers at the meeting.
The president had also committed to rehabilitate Tipperary Hall, a historic meeting place in the community which is currently just brick stumps on land overrun by vegetation. According to Lumumba, they are taking a “final look” at the technical plans for the Hall and as soon as that is complete an announcement would be made. The venue in its heyday had been graced by many public officials, including the late presidents LFS Burnham, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan.
Lumumba added that computers were currently being sourced in keeping with another pledge made to the community and the delivery date would be made public shortly. Jagdeo had promised to source 20 computers for the community and urged the villagers to establish a mechanism to ensure that everyone benefited from the systems.
Meanwhile, Lumumba said that the single parent loan application process was continuing under the direction of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security. Under the Women of Worth (WOW) scheme, individuals can access loans of up to $250,000 without collateral at a six percent interest rate from GBTI, with which the government has an arrangement.
The president had said that they will work with the loan recipients to ensure they have the technical assistance to start their own businesses. “I am committing today to provide all the assistance you need,” Jagdeo told Buxtonians, adding “you have to want this too as badly as we do.”
