Six million in Presidential Grants have been disbursed to four Pomeroon, Region Two communities to fund sustainable community projects.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, $2 million has been awarded to Wakapao to fund a block making factory; $1.5 million to Mainstay/Whyaka for the construction of a village office to relieve the council from using the community’s multipurpose building to conduct business; $1 million to St Monica for the purchase of a cassava mill and fogging machine (the former to begin agroprocessing and the latter to combat the akishi ants that destroy farms in the area); and $1.5 million has been allocated to the community of Kabakaburi to build a 40-foot ballyhoo boat.
It was stated that the cheques for the aforementioned projects were handed over by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, during a visit to Wakapau over the weekend. Allicock was accompanied by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson.
DPI reported Toshao of St. Monica, Thomas Charles, as saying that the agro-processing and fogging equipment will be procured within a month.
Charles also said that with the funds allocated last year, the community was able to construct a community guest house and its satellite village, Karawab, was able to install a solar system at its community centre.
Kabakaburi’s Toshao, Sherman Lyte, thanked the government for its continued support to his community and related that they have been witnessing steady progress over the past three years.
In excess of $700 million has been allocated through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs for development projects in hinterland villages and communities this year, DPI said.
Of this amount, it stated, over $235 million will be invested in 215 villages and communities under the Presidential Grant programme.
“Villages are expected to submit their respective project proposals in support of existing livelihood projects; develop new economic, social and environmental initiatives, provide job opportunities for residents and increase entrepreneurial capacity…This is part of the government’s commitment to empowering the Indigenous peoples,” the report stated.
Allicock, the report noted, explained that the grants are awarded based on the projects presented, while assuring that the ministry is working to ensure the monies are disbursed in a timely manner so the work of the village councils can progress.
“This is not a campaign gimmick, this is the budget we are executing. These were requests made [by] village councils and the funds are now being rolled out. We will return as we have more to come,” he stated.
Allicock also encouraged the village councils to undertake more environmentally-friendly projects that will create jobs and generate income for the communities. He said that community tourism is a major industry that can be tapped into, while pointing out that Guyana was named the number one ecotourism destination in the world.
Furthermore, he highlighted the need for residents to engage in agricultural activities, given the geography of the area. “…You need to start thinking of what you want to do as a village when these monies from oil production become available. You must not forget your agriculture …every day at least one meal is eaten, but who will provide that food if you forget about agriculture?” he questioned.
