Tangible support for Yurong Paru
DPI, Guyana, Friday, November 29, 2019
“Tangible solutions in the shortest possible time” was promised to the Yurong Paru community in the Rupununi when Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dr. Karen Cummings met residents for an interactive session on November 25.
The Minister also promised to ensure that all efforts will be made to ensure the residents of Yurong Paru “are empowered so they can become part of the transformative process” as Guyana transitions to oil and gas production.
She also undertook to ensure that the requests put forward by Tosaho of Yurong Paru, Rovain Francis are forwarded to the relevant ministries and agencies for further action.
Issues raised included the need for the community’s primary school to have lights installed, construction of a secondary school, a truck for transportation and taking produce to market, the establishment of an ICT Hub and an additional photovoltaic powered well. A request for sports gear was fulfilled on the spot with a donation by Minister Dr. Cummings.
The interactive meeting was among several hosted, by ministers across the region, as part of an effort to understand some of the concerns and challenges facing the mostly Indigenous populations and provide solutions.
Yurong Paru, 126km from Lethem, is a part of the Karasabai sub-district, located in South Pakaraimas Region 9. The Makushi village rests at an elevation of 1,646ft with a population of approximately 400, whose main source income comes from agriculture – with cassava as the main crop cultivated. The village also produces are meat-beef and pork.