The Ministry of Agriculture has approved the clearing of 131.5 acres of land in the Victoria backlands, on the East Coast of Demerara, while the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has already completed ‘crowning’ dams, based on a submission on works needed in the community by the Victoria Restoration Trust.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, on July 15 the Trust submitted a proposal listing the projects and works needed to advance the community. The ministry had committed to meeting those needs and granted approval to clear a section of the backlands, while the NDIA has also completed the ‘crowning’ of dams to allow for better land utilisation. The NDIA will also be conducting rehabilitation and infrastructural works on several kokers and install self-closing drainage gates, GINA said. In addition, the Guyana School of Agriculture will provide training in produce canning, while READ is developing a holistic training programme for Victoria with respect to ham production.
The Trust, in its submission, had asked the ministry to provide training for villagers in canning vegetables and fruits; to provide training that would allow villagers to become extension officers; to provide chainsaws and portable bridges to allow tractors to cross trenches; to provide assistance in producing ham; and to provide assistance in rehabilitating the koker and clearing the area of vegetation.
In his address at the 2nd annual village Indaba (conference), held on Thursday, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud told Victorians that government remains committed to addressing some of the outcomes of the conference, in order to boost the social and economic standing of the community. The minister joined scores of Victorians at the Victoria Nursery school, East Coast Demerara for the opening of the Indaba.
The annual Indaba provides the opportunity for Victorians including those in the Diaspora, to discuss issues aimed at enhancing, addressing and implementing new initiatives that will advance the community.
Persaud said he hopes other villages will recognise the importance of the gathering and emulate Victoria in this exercise. He also said he hoped that after the general elections are held, “we will be able to have local government elections and that the new system will see greater power going to the villages and villagers.”
GINA said APNU Presidential Candidate David Granger also attended the conference.
