Twelve indigenous communities yesterday received millions in COVID-19 relief to help mitigate the negative economic impact the pandemic has had on their respective villages.
The approximately $105 million COVID-19 relief was handed over to indigenous leaders by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai at the Sophia Exhibition Centre. The funds are to be used for creating a space for Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This allows for existing ICT facilities to be extended or for new ones to be constructed.
Remaining sums can be used on any infrastructural developments that are income generating projects.
Recipients of the relief fund are Santa Mission, Caria Caria, Lower Bona-sika and Saxacalli in Region Three, St Cuthbert’s Mission, Swan, Waikabra and Long Creek in Region Four, Morai-kobai in Region Five, and Orealla, Siparuta and Cashew Island from Region Six. Each community received funds ranging from $3 million to $15 million based on population size.
In her brief remarks, Sukhai said that the Government of Guyana has observed the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Guyana especially in the hinterland and indigenous communities. She said the relief fund serves to ensure that each community mitigates the negative economic impact the pandemic has had on Guyana and should be used for village projects which can provide jobs for residents of that community.
“It is an opportunity for villages to create a foundation for its residents to be able to live with the effects of COVID-19 in the long term. It is about creating opportunities for livelihood, opportunities for young people, and opportunities for enhancement of village infrastructure,” she said.
Sukhai advised the leaders that Village Councils are required to conduct a village meeting to consult with residents in order to approve a project or projects that will be beneficial to the village.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA) must also be provided with the Village Council project proposal, detailed estimates, minutes of the meeting, and meeting attendance sheets, at the earliest opportunity.
“This investment is intended to boost each community’s ability to cope, therefore we expect that the injection of funds into the village economy will be a welcome addition that each member of the community will support. It is not an individual grant; it is to boost your community’s ability to cope with COVID-19 in the long term,” Sukhai added.
