‘David G’ boat engine for Lower Pomeroon

̶ Finance Ministry donates $4M engine to Reg. 2 Department of Education

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Students living and attending school in the Lower Pomeroon are now assured greater access to education through the donation of an outboard engine to equip the David G boat that plies the lower Pomeroon route.

The boat is part of the 5B’s initiative piloted by His Excellency, President David Granger. This initiative provides transportation, hot meals and educational material – buses, boats, bicycles, breakfast, and books, all free of cost to students across Guyana, particularly in Hinterland Regions.

In a recent interview, the President had stated his belief in the ‘three A’ system – Access, Attendance and Achievement – citing that one leads to the other. It is his view that once given access to education; students will improve their attendance at school, which in turn will boost their academic achievements.

The 200 Horsepower Yamaha engine was procured at a cost of approximately $4.3 Million.

The Minister of Finance on Sunday, July 28, 2019, donated the engine to the Department of Education Region 2 (Pomeroon-Supenaam) following a ministerial outreach in the lower Pomeroon where its need was highlighted.

Finance Minister the Hon. Winston Jordan and Education Minister the Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry visited Hackney, about 11 miles up the Pomeroon River where they engaged residents and reiterated their Government’s commitment to ensure all Guyanese are afforded a good life regardless of geography, social, political, or economic factors.

Minister Jordan who handed over the engine to the Regional Education Officer (REdO), Ms. Nicola Matthews, said: “We are always happy to help wherever we can especially in education.”

Minister Henry thanked the Ministry of Finance for partnering with her ministry and noted that the initiative aligns with the Education Ministry’s priority of ensuring access to education.

“I believe that this is a very important project. It will help us to get our children to school. You know one of the priorities of our ministry is to ensure access and this is very much in line with the Ministry’s priorities,” Minister Henry said.

REdO Matthews said that the donation of the engine will benefit the students since they are regularly transported from the Lower-Pomeroon to attend schools such as the Charity Secondary, 8th of May Secondary and the Anna Regina Secondary.

“This will be very beneficial to them. We are very grateful for this donation … it’s very timely. We know for sure that at the beginning of the [new academic year], September the David G boat will have its own engine,” Matthews said.

Over the last four years, $172Billion has been allocated to the education sector representing the single most substantial investment in the lives of Guyanese.