Smith Creek Toshao plans community centre and improved drainage
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Sherman Lewis, the Toshao of Smith Creek Village in Region One says part of his Village Council plans for the next three years, are to establish a multipurpose centre and an improved drainage system.
In a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Lewis explained that because Smith Creek is located at the edge of the Barima River, when there is high tide the water is lodged in the village for a prolonged period causing the area to become very swampy since there is very little drainage.
“This poses a danger for our children in the village, because sometimes they go play and put things in their mouth and they get sick, and so that is an issue and I will be working to find a solution.”
Lewis said that the village will be using its annual Presidential Grant Fund to partially fund the projects, and will also be engaging the government for additional support.
This year’s presidential grant, he said, will go towards the construction of a multipurpose centre for the village for meetings and social events as well as activities for the youths.
In the interim, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has provided water filters to the village to ensure the residents have safe drinking water. The Toshao has confirmed that since then, there were no reports of water-borne diseases.
The selling of crab and fish is the main source of income for the over 200 residents and so, this year, the government allocated $10M for the establishment of a processing facility.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, during a visit to the village, said that the undertaking is in keeping with an objective of the ministry to develop small industries in the hinterland regions that provide a source of income.Â
By: Synieka Thorne.
Images: Anil Seelall.