No disruption of govt’s hinterland work programme – Min. Allicock
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DPI, Guyana, Friday, January 4, 2019
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock has assured that there will be no disruption of the government’s 2019 Hinterland work programme.
In an interview shared on Minister Allicock’s Facebook profile, he noted that despite the recent development in the National Assembly, the staff of his ministry is ready to move forward with the ministry’s work programme for this year.
“We are a government and we have to continue our work, we have a budget that was passed and so we have work to do and we will continue to deliver on our plans for 2019,” Minister Allicock stressed.
Of the $1.9Billion allocated to the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, $36M will be expended for the Indigenous Languages Project, $235.3M for green sustainable projects in 215 communities under the Presidential Grant programme and $176M for support to Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) students.
Among other community projects are the establishment of agro-processing facilities in Maruranau at a cost of $10M, and Bina Hill – Region 9 costing $15M; fruit farms at Paruima – Region Seven at a cost of $3M, Santa Cruz – Region One at a cost of $3M; a Lapidary in Monkey Mountain, Region 8 at a cost of $5M; eco-tourism project in Karasabai, Region 9 at a cost of $2M, Rest Shelters in Chenapou at a cost of $2.5M, and Paramakatoi – Region 8 at a cost of $2.2M, and Parishara – Region 9 at a cost of $2M.
Laluni – Region Four and St. Ignatius – Region 9, will each receive a tractor and other items to aid in Agriculture production, while the Amokokopai-Phillipai farm to market trail will be upgraded at a cost of $2M, St. Deny’s-Tapakuma $3M, Surama $3M and Sand Creek catwalk at a cost of $1M.
Minister Allicock explained that a number of communities would have requested equipment for agriculture and other purposes as part of their plans, and so the ministry has a mandate to ensure the residents receive these items in a timely manner.
“Since we took office, our aim was to get early budget in every year so that we can deliver and that is what we are trying to perfect. 2019 would be a better year, and it is expected that our officers will have all plans in place so that they can be able to access those funding to take to the communities… The earlier we get these projects it will be better, for not only the government but the people that we represent.”
In addition to the monies allocated to the ministry, several projects will be executed through the hinterland regional administrations. $3.4Billion has been allocated to Region 1, $3Billion for Region 7, $2.1Billion for Region 8 and $2Billion for Region 9.
By: Synieka Thorne.
Image: Department of Public Information.