Rupertee, Kwatamang farmers water woes eased

─ Min. Bulkan presents water pumps

─ Ministerial Outreach in Rupununi Region continues

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, February 16, 2019

Residents of the north Rupununi villages of Rupertee and Kwatamang who are engaged in small-scale farming will now endure less stress in providing water to their farmlands. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan today presented water pumps and connecting hoses to the two neighbouring villages which form part of the Annai sub-district.

Minister Bulkan visited the villages as part of a massive government outreach in Region 9 at the weekend. He also presented farming tools, a brushcutter, footwear, sport gear (including footballs, volleyballs and cricket bats), radios and solar torchlights to the communities.

Small-scale farmers explained to Minister Bulkan the challenges which they face in watering their crops during the dry season and expressed appreciation for the water pumps and farming tools in particular. The tools included garden forks, pickaxes, hoes, shovels, spades and cutlasses. Residents of Kwatamang, in particular, noted that pump and farming tools will allow them to plant more crops and possibly supply the school feeding programme at the community nursery and primary school. They are also eyeing supplying the kitchen at the Annai Secondary School and Bina Hill Institute where students are housed in dorms.

Minister Bulkan noted that the school feeding programme has more than doubled since 2014 when 3,553 students in 21 Rupununi schools were served at a cost of $117M.

In 2018, those figures skyrocketed to 7,261 students in 64 schools at a cost of over $255M. Minister Bulkan noted that education was a high priority for the Coalition Government and he was pleased that students in the two communities are benefitting from this programme which aids in improved school attendance.

Residents of Rupertee made a request to the minister for a primary school in their village. Primary School students currently attend classes in Annai and residents related that the miles-long trek in the rainy season poses challenges. Minister Bulkan noted that the child population in the village is on the rise and he understood the need for the request and will convey the same to the Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry.

The two meetings were attended by scores of residents who raised issues of concern and also commended Minister Bulkan for meeting with them in their respective villages.

Minister Bulkan and 18 of his ministerial colleagues have embarked on a historic region-wide outreach covering 28 villages. It is the first time these many ministers have visited the region at the same time.

The outreach which began on Friday, February 15 continues until Sunday, February 17.

Images: Karime Peters

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