Quitata’s village residents seek transportation assistance, housing development
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Residents of the village of Quitata, North Rupununi, Region Nine-Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo have appealed for a tractor and trailer to transport their produce to Lethem and also for a bus to take students to and from school.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock handing over the equipment to the HEYS students.
They made the request to Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who headed a team that visited the area.
The village is currently engaged in a watermelon harvesting project under its Community Development Plan (CDP) project. One resident said that the Village Council had sent a letter to the Ministry indicating their plan to expand the project and requested a tractor and trailer, and a plough.
The residents also asked to be included in the Hinterland Housing Programme under the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA). The aim is to create a ‘housing scheme’ for the youths in the community.
One of the residents raising a concern.
In response, Minister Allicock explained that there is a bus available for the community. However, the Village Council has to produce a TIN certificate before it can be released to the village.
On the issue of the housing programme, Minister Allicock told the residents that “you need to apply for the programme, once you draft the letter with the approval and get the signature of the Toshao and Senior Councillor, we will then forward it to the CHPA. I just can’t go to the agency and tell them I need you to build some houses for this village, it has to go through a process. This is the structure because we deal with donor agencies.”
The minister urged the Village Council to engage the people and the Regional Administration further on the issue.
While in the village, catering kits, stove and other equipment were handed over, by the minister on behalf of his ministry, to boost the businesses of the youths who recently concluded the Hinterland Entrepreneurship and Youth Services (HEYS) programme.
By: Synieka Thorne.