In a bid to build capacity within the regional administrations, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan on Wednesday handed over vehicles valued at $18M to representatives of the Mabaruma, Bartica, and Lethem municipalities.
The presentation ceremony was held at the ministry’s Kingston branch, according to a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Bulkan said that the vehicles, “represent tangible proof of this administration’s desire to rebuild and restore the functionality in the system of local government and to build capacity in our councils to enable them to discharge their responsibility, to better manage their area and their townships”.
Noting that the vehicle “will make a significant difference within the municipality”, Bartica Mayor, Gifford Marshall explained that it will lessen the council’s transportation bill thereby significantly reducing the municipality’s budget.
Deputy Mayor of Mabaruma, Ashtrilla ‘Trilly’ Gammel said that the donation was indeed a timely one. “We (Mabaruma municipality) have been struggling for some time to do our duties, we had resort to borrowing the mayor’s transportation to do so. However today we are grateful for this gift that has been given to us and I know that it will not only be beneficial to us but to the people of Mabaruma.”
This sentiment was echoed by Lethem Town Council member, George Henry who noted the terrain in his municipality.