The Amerindian Village of Malali on the Demerara River, Region Ten will see several developmental projects taking off including a new primary school, according to President Irfaan Ali who visited the community yesterday.
A Department of Public Information [DPI] press release identified the projects to include the construction of a new primary school, replacing the current structure which floods due to its close proximity to the riverbank; an elevated area has been identified for the new school, and a team of engineers has started consultations with the village on the design of the building. The recreational facility will be upgraded, a new doctor’s quarters will be constructed, and a new water distribution system will be drilled to ensure sustainable water supply.
DPI said ten acres of land for agriculture will be supported by the government through the Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme (AIEP). “We are going to work with you in opening up 10 acres of land to do pineapple, coconut and citrus… The only requirement of this project is that 35 per cent of those who are part of this project must be women and young people,” Ali told the residents of Malali. The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has already committed to providing the plants to cultivate two acres of the land set aside for coconuts.
The President also said that approval will be given for a quarry project, requested by the Village Council, which will create additional opportunities for residents. As part of the agreement 50 per cent of the production of the quarry will be sold to the government for projects at a fixed price. “Because of the investment in the new road… we have more than three companies wanting to operate quarries in this community,” he added. DPI said plans are also on stream to construct a wharf in Linden to facilitate the movement of goods and services from the riverine village. The president said these are the types of initiatives that will add value to what the government is doing. “We are building a stronger future, a more prosperous future for the people of this country,” he underscored.
Malali, with a population of just about 250, has thus far benefitted from a total investment of $154 million in just three years. “We have spent $616,000 on each one of you… and if you look at the 68 households here, we have spent $2.3 million per household in the last three years,” Ali emphasised. Under the $3 billion commitment for hinterland development made during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference last year, Malali received $15 million to finance economic projects, including shade house and sawmill initiatives. The village also received an additional $15 million this year from carbon-credit funds for projects.
DPI said during the President’s visit, 77 solar panels were distributed under the government’s ‘30,000 solar home systems’ project. Ali was accompanied by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai.
