President Irfaan Ali on Thursday announced that students and teachers at the Baramita Primary School in Region One (Barima/ Waini), will receive 600 tablets along with internet connectivity.
The Head of State during a previous visit to the Indigenous community was informed of issues such as lack of access to internet services, transportation, health, and education services.
In response, President Ali stated, “By next week we will ensure that your school receives 600 tablets so that the children will be able to do their school work also the school will receive internet connectivity.” He added, “And with that internet connectivity, teachers will have no excuse but to enroll in the government’s GOAL programme.”
One doctor who was temporarily stationed at the community hospital complained that the healthcare facility is currently faced with limited human resources.
As a result, health care workers are overwhelmed due to the increased workload, he explained.
The President assured that while this situation will not be addressed immediately, it will be recorded as a major priority for the government to increase human resources capacity in the hinterland community.
Ali also announced that the community will receive a bus to aid with its transportation woes as was highlighted by a teacher of Baramita Primary.
She told the president that due to the tough terrain in the community, it is very expensive for students and teachers from neighbouring communities like Port Kaituma and Mabaruma to travel to Baramita Primary.
The teacher also noted that many teachers from the Cyril Potter College of Education did not have the requisite devices to effectively deliver education at the community’s primary and secondary schools, to which the president subsequently disclosed that these teachers will also be equipped with tablets.
President Ali also pledged to initiate an agriculture livelihood project, where farmers can aid in advancing the economic development of their community through large-scale crop and poultry production.
Guyana/Venezuela border controversy
Ali also assured residents of Baramita that Guyana remains committed to peacefully resolving the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela and that there was absolutely nothing to fear.
Tensions have sharply escalated in recent months over Venezuela’s plans for a referendum on December 3rd on its claim to Essequibo.
“We are not taking anything for granted…That is why our overall strategy is nothing to be alarmed about. There is absolutely nothing to fear. We are doing everything by international guidelines, and we believe that Venezuela will not act recklessly,” the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces told the residents.
Ali posited that while he cannot stop the government of Venezuela from forging ahead with its referendum, which seeks to make claims over Esse-quibo a county which belongs to Guyana, Cara-cas must not act recklessly.
“We always say that every action reacts, while we are hoping that Vene-zuela abides with international law and doesn’t do anything reckless, we are still committed to securing our territorial integrity in the case of any eventuality, while we are hopeful, we are also cautious and will not operate in a naïve manner,” the Commander-in-Chief affirmed.
Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, also urged the residents to not entertain fear but to remain vigilant.
He assured that government in partnership with its military allies will do everything in its power to maintain order and peace on the nation’s border.
Baramita solar power programme
Meanwhile, according to a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI), residents of Baramita are now benefitting from the government’s 30,000 per household solar power programme.
A total of 700 solar panels were delivered to residents at a cost of approximately $40 million.
According to DPI, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, led the distribution exercise at the Baramita Multipurpose Centre. He was accompanied by regional officers and a representative from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
In his address to residents, Croal explained that the distribution of solar panels is part of the government’s manifesto commitment to ensure that all communities have access to electricity.
Under the Hinterland Electrification programme, the government has procured 30,000 solar panels for hinterland and riverine areas.
“In fact, for Region One alone, we have invested over half billion [dollars] for eight thousand plus solar panels…we want to ensure that all of our residents in these remote areas are receiving electricity,” Croal underscored.
The minister also spoke about some of the social ills plaguing Baramita, including suicide and substance abuse, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to holistically addressing these issues.
The community is also benefitting from $35 million in carbon credit funds for community development ventures. The community also benefits from annual Presidential Grant funds for projects.
Baramita is one of the largest Amerindian settlements in Guyana with a population of 4,000 spread across 22 satellite areas.
To further improve access to potable water, Croal said the government will seek to drill another well in the area. The community is currently receiving water on a scheduled basis.
Meanwhile, 500 solar panels costing $30 million were distributed to residents of Matthews Ridge.
