New primary and nursery schools will be built in Number 36 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, as part of the region’s capital works programme, according to Region Six Chairman David Armogan.
On Monday, Armogan announced that the region’s budget has been passed and said the region has approximately $468M to spend on the capital works programme. He explained that that money will be spent in different areas, such as health and education, improving infrastructure and on land development.
According to Armogan 80% of the region’s workload has been tendered out. He explained that the region is waiting for the documents to be evaluated and then contracts will be awarded.
It is estimated that the new schools will cost the region $35M. According to Armogan, it was difficult acquiring land to get the project started but the region will be going ahead as a result of a generous donation of land from Nand Persaud Incorporated, which has made the project doable this year.
Another major project, according to Armogan, is the construction of a wharf at the market square in Corriverton.
According to Armogan, Amerindians would usually travel from Orealla to the area to sell their produce and over the years when the tide is low, “they would have to put a small plank… and walk on it with their heavy loads to meet the seawall, about 100 feet away from the boat.” He stressed that this is very dangerous and in an effort to assist them, the region has decided to build a wharf there.
In addition to the wharf, Armogan said that a holding facility will also be built as part of the project. He noted that during a recent meeting in Orealla, one issue raised by residents was that when they bring their produce out to Corriverton, wholesalers tend to take advantage of them because there is no holding area currently, leaving them no choice but to get their produce off their hands at cheap prices.
Armogan emphasised that it is unfair to the residents, hence the idea of the holding facility, where they can keep their produce if they decided to wait for better prices. He stressed that the wharf and the holding facility will benefit the Amerindians of Orealla tremendously. This project it is estimated will cost $25M.
