President Donald Ramotar on Saturday cut the ribbon to commission the first project to be completed under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Norway-financed Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund, (GRIF).
The Government Information Agency said that Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative, Kadijah Musa joined Ramotar at Santa Aratak village, a riverain community in Region Three, where the village launched the ‘Santac Tours and Travel’. The village and its leaders along with the officials also commissioned a guesthouse and dining hall.
GINA said that the project has now paved the way for 100-plus Amerindian communities to receive funding for their Community Development Plans (CDPs).
Sukhai, said she was recently informed that the sum of US $6.3M has been released and is ready for disbursement to the other communities.
“This project is one that will forever resound in the minds of all who are here. It is Heritage Month and it is important that you chose to launch this facility and of course the project which is one among 26 that is progressing. This is the first one that is being formally launched, and I want to congratulate you”, Sukhai said.
Musa also lauded the initiative and the residents for what she described as outstanding work.
“It’s really an honour to be here to see the final results, I was here a few months ago and saw it in progress and it’s amazing…I think that whatever you will need going forward from here is quite minor”, she said.
According to GINA, she however, encouraged the villagers not to move away from their culture while executing this project as it is very important and it is what will attract persons. “The world wants to know about you and your culture. It is important to see how you sing your songs, introduce your history of the community.”
She also urged the residents to maintain a very high standard at the guest house, as well as the service they will be providing.
“I think this community will continue to be an example as we unfold the second phase of Amerindian Economic Development Programme. They create a window for other villages”, she added.
GINA said that the Santac Tours and Travel is a community based approach to cultural and heritage tourism. The concept is to promote and preserve indigenous knowledge and skill. It will provide tour packages, tour guides, destination management natural resources management and training.
