$20.9M for green sustainable projects in Region Nine
DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 29, 2018
Sixteen Region Nine communities received cheques valued at $20.8M to embark on green sustainable projects under the Presidential Grant fund programme.
The cheques were handed over by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who is performing the duties of President, during the Regional Toshaos’ Conference being held at the Indigenous Conference Hall at Lethem, Region Nine.
| Village | Amount | Project |
| Kumu | $800,000 | Construction of village benab |
| Nappi | $1,000,000 | Upgrading of farm to market road |
| Kaicumbay | $800,000 | Construction of village pavilion |
| Churikadnau | $800,000 | Construction of storage bond |
| Crashwater | $1,000,000 | Upgrading of 3km roads |
| Annai | $1,000,000 | Sewing project for women’s group |
| Aranaputa | $1,000,000 | Construction of village ranch |
| Kuraudarnau | $1,499,980 | Construction of pavilion |
| Katoka | $1,000,000 | Construction of water well trestle |
| Meriwau | $800,000 | Construction of village office |
| Aishalton | $1,500,000 | Fencing of farming area and repair to the bridge |
| Sawariwau | $1,200,000 | Furnishing of village office and repairs to village minibus |
| Awarewaunau | $1,200,000 | Expansion of village shop |
| Karasabai | $1,500,000 | Furnishing of village office |
| Parishara | $800,000 | Construction of hot meal kitchen |
| Rupertee | $800,000 | Road project |
Some $782.5M was invested in the region for presidential grants and capital works for the year 2015 to 2017. For 2018, a total of $243.6M will be invested for social and economic projects in the 57 villages in the Rupununi region.
The latter will include presidential grants amounting to $57.8M, $131M for the Green Energy Development Centre; $5M for equipping workshops and labs at Bina Hill Institute, $5M for eco-tourism project at Karasabai; $17M for tractor and trailer for Sawariwu and Aranaputa Village; $20M for farm to market roads and trails at Maruranau, Rupertee, Pai Pang to Karasabai and Masakenari to Parabara; $3.2M for ATC for Tipuru and Rukumuta; and $800,000 for boat for Sand Creek. The Bina Hill Institute received a $50M subvention, while the KMCRG received $4.5M.
Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that the government is committed to creating opportunities for the indigenous people to become self-sufficient, thereby alleviating the culture of dependency in communities. “We have to move away from the idea that because you are Amerindians and you are from the interior, that you have to become mendicants, beggars and always have to stretch out your hands to always receive.”
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock said that “we have come a far way. The journey is long. We must keep our eyes on the prize. That prize is the good life; the good life we are building is founded on sustainable development with the context of the Green State Development Strategy.
Development in this regard, he added, is making its presence positively and progressively more pronounced in the region.
By: Synieka Thorne.
Image: Keno George.