Jubilee grants to facilitate sheep rearing, water project in Region Nine  

GINA, GUYANA

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Two indigenous communities this morning received Jubilee grants to start a project of their choice which will benefit the entire community.

The Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock handed over the sum of $2.5 Million to the Toshaos of the communities at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal during the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Meeting.

Two hundred and twelve (212) communities are slated to receive up to $2M to embark on sustainable projects by the end of 2016. This initiative is part of activities to mark Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Minister Allicock presented the sum of $1M to Toshao Vanica Edwin of Rukumoto Region Nine to undertake the drilling of a well in the community. “I know water is a key component for agricultural development and for the survival of your people so I would like to wish you well in the completion and the service of this well,” the Minister stated.

Toshao Edwin said that he was happy to have received the grant, and pointed out that the well will be of much help to the elderly who have to travel long distances to access water. The Toshao explained, “They have been struggling for over a year, requesting for a water system to be established, but it has never been established, but now I’m going to work on it as I have received this cheque.”

The sum of $1.5M was presented to Toshao Marcus Alexander of Katoonarib, Region Nine for a sheep rearing project. The Minister praised the community for coming up with such a project, noting that it will help promote food security in the region.

“I know that with good management, you would be able to bring value-added food security within Region Nine,” Minister Allicock stated.

Toshao Alexander said that the community had already started the project, but encountered some difficulties, one of which was accommodation for the sheep. Now that the cheque has been received, Alexander said, “We will be pushing ahead with our sheep rearing project which will help the community to get mutton that will serve our hot meal programme.”

Additionally, a bus worth $3M was handed over to Senior Councillor of Kwaimatta Village, Region Nine, Mirinda Stephen. Stephen said the bus will facilitate transportation of children to school, pensioners to the post office to uplift their pension, and sick persons to health institutions.