‘Prepare yourselves for the oil and gas’ – Min. Garrido-Lowe
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, November 17, 2019
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe has called on the residents of Mashabo to prepare themselves and their community for the benefits that will derive from the country’s oil wealth.
Speaking with residents at a community meeting on Saturday, the minister urged residents to educate themselves and their children and craft plans that will bring employment to the community.
“How well are you prepared to earn your share of the money from the oil industry?” she asked.
“From 2020 to 2029, we will focus on the ‘Decade of Development’ which focus on education. The Head of State wants an educated nation because that’s the only way Guyana can develop,” the minister continued.
She spoke of the Green Enterprise Institute, which will ensure the holistic development of hinterland youth through training in Natural Resource Management, Community and Village Rangers, Ecosystem Management, Forest Rangers, village mapping and eco-tourism guides.
Noting that while jobs are needed, persons must develop a skill, Minister Garrido-Lowe implored.
“That is why we have these institutions for you to attend.”
Agriculture and Tourism, she noted, are just two other areas that persons can tap into to create employment or become self-employed.
It was also highlighted that the community of Mashabo, for the first time, has a record number of students attending the Abram Zuil Secondary School, which is an improvement that occurred under the current administration. According to Headteacher, Modi Ram Beepat, for the first time also the primary school is fully staffed, and attendance is high because of the school feeding programme that was implemented under the current administration.
Requests were made for the construction of a nursery school, and repairs to the primary school in the community as well as a boat to transport the students. Minister Garrido-Lowe assured that the matters raised will be addressed with the relevant authorities for timely intervention.