Over $17M in Presidential Grants were presented to Santa Rosa and its satellites communities in the Moruca sub-district, Barima-Waini on Sunday, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The cheques were handed over to the senior councillors by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock during a community engagement on longstanding issues of land, DPI said. Allicock was accompanied by Legal Advisor, David James and Project Officer, Alexi LaRose and other government officials.
Koko-Hutawari, Cabrora and Rincon each received $3M for the erection of multi-purpose buildings; Huradiah $1M to furnish its multi-purpose centre and purchase floodlights; Kumaka $1M to fence the Santa Rosa Guest House compound and to acquire woodworking tools and machinery to complement its woodworking facility.
In Kamwatta, $1M will be disbursed to convert a bond to a craft centre and purchase craft items; Karaburi, $1M to build a market place; Wallaba, $1M to effect repairs to the village vehicle and establishment of a five-acre Coconut Plantation. DPI said that Mora will spend its $1M grant on repairs of its Cargo Boat and the setting up of a floating/mobile grocery shop. Seven-Mile Branch Road, a satellite of Waramuri, used their $800,000 grant to purchase a 15-horsepower Yamaha outboard engine and boat to assist the community with its transportation needs, especially the farmers.
Parakese village received $1M to acquire carpentry and boat building tools and sport gear.
Allicock commended the village council for creating projects that target the young people in the village, DPI said. He said it serves as motivation for the young people who are willing and ready to learn a skill.
“We have a lot of children who are involved in a lot of illegal things, we also have teenage pregnancy and some are not involved in any activities or not earning a living. In this part of Region One, we are very happy to see the councillors and Toshaos willing to teach and be involved in the development of youths.”
The minister told councillors of the need for proper management and accountability of village assets, and the need for villages to create more activities that will aid in creating jobs for the people and generate an income for the village.
