Region Nine villages show much development - Local Gov’t team visits several areas
A GINA feature - October 17, 2011
Source - GINA
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and team on their way to Apoteri
The PPP/C Administration has constantly highlighted its commitment towards the progressive development of Amerindians and its support and concern for them are revealed daily. From October 13 – 16, this facet of its commitment was further demonstrated when a team of officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and Region Nine’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) conducted another outreach in Region Nine.
The team of Permanent Secretary, Nigel Dharamlall, Hinterland Development Coordinator, Harrypersaud Nokta, and Regional Executive Officer, Region Nine, Ronald Harsawack visited Fairview, Surama, Wowetta, Annai, Apoteri, Crashwater, Rewa and Kwatamang.
A section of those gathered at one of the many areas Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and team visited.
Truly demonstrating the administration’s unwavering commitment to addressing matters of concerns affecting the grass roots, the team listened to and addressed concerns that included; the progress of Amerindian development, food security, supply of potable water and the need for more both fuel, and boats to assist the communities in transporting their produce. Residents were also reminded of the challenges they once faced which were overcome with the aid of the current administration.
The first stop was at Fairview which is geographically in Region Eight where Nokta acknowledged that while government has done a lot over the years much is still to be done and is confident that progress will continue since there are a lot of capable youths to do so. He spoke of the Government’s commitment towards the development of all Guyanese through measures to ensure that the country is food secure and that every child benefits from school feeding, uniform assistance and literacy programmes.
General development
Dharamlall noted that Fairview is a historic village in Guyana due to the fact that in November 2009 the Governments of Guyana and Norway signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in the said village.
Dharamlall emphasised one of the principles of the PPP/C Administration that is the belief in the culture of hard work which is no different from the lifestyle of the Amerindians.
The Hymac, a promise fulfilled by Government to Annai
“For us, development is not about the power of the government; development comes from the power of the people,” he said.
REO, Harsawack noted that the Fairview of three years ago is definitely not the same today due to visible improvements in the community in terms of the availability of education, health, and agriculture services along with the necessary infrastructure. He recognised that the Village Council has also been playing its role in the developmental process with support from the Government’s Presidential Grants which significantly drive development at the village level.
Harsawack drew a picture of the state of hinterland communities in Region 9 prior to 1992 where villagers did not have access to basic necessities such as education and health for which they had to travel to Lethem or Annai to access. There have since been vast improvements in these areas.
The aluminum boats that were given to Rewa, Crashwater and Apoteri when a team led by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall conducted an outreach to Region 9
With regards to the presidential grant, he indicated that it has doubled and will see each Amerindian community receiving $3M to execute a project that will create employment for the villagers while generating revenue for continued and sustained development in the respective villages.
While in Surama, the team acknowledged that three prominent Amerindians-the late Stephen Campbell, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett have made, and in the case of the latter two, are still making significant contributions on behalf of their fellow Amerindians and they must be applauded for such.
Children in Apoteri accessing a community stand pipe
Additionally, Amerindian development is also being facilitated through the establishment of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, and the advancement of the Amerindian Act.
Rewa, Crashwater and Apoteri were recent recipients of an aluminum boat equipped with a 15 horsepower engine while Apoteri and Crashwater benefitted from a new school; Annai from improved roads, a new health centre and solar home systems. Annai also had an $18M promise fulfilled when the team handed over the keys to a Hymac.
Roads/bridges
The REO pointed out that this year alone, the RDC is spending $87M for the upgrade of roads in Lethem and the Deep South Rupununi while the Ministry of Public Works will be spending an additional $999M to up-grade the main access road to Lethem and Region 9.
The upgraded Annai road network
Thus far work has already started from the Lethem end, and will improve accessibility and result in the reduction in the price for food and other commodities.
During the years 2006 to 2010, approximately $345M was spent to maintain and upgrade the region’s roads and construct bridges.
Solar Electrification
In terms of the progress of the Hinterland Electrification Programme, Harsawack said the 65-watt solar panels will make life easier for the housewives, farmers and students. One hundred and eighty four hinterland communities are closer to receiving the solar panels as the first batch of the 11,000 systems earmarked for free distribution has begun to arrive.
Annai Police Station outfitted with solar panel
The availability of electricity also enables the villages to benefit from broadcast of the programmes of the Guyana Education Channel since hinterland communities can now receive signals for the channel. A tower was opened recently in the Region with communities such as Rewa, Annai, Surama, and Rupertee already being able to view programmes.
Dharamlall explained that government has continually invested large sums to upgrade the Lethem Electrical power grid in order for residents to enjoy longer periods of electricity and to provide similar services to unserved areas.
An estimated 274 households across the Region have benefitted from a solar home system, which came at a cost to government of $52M.
Education
Harsawack informed residents that during the years 2006 to 2010 in excess of $498M were spent to equip the schools in the region with the necessary furnishings. More than $70M was invested for the construction of a modern secondary school at Sand Creek.
The new school at Apoteri
Dharamlall alluded to the fact that the region has seen outstanding performances both at the national examinations for the primary and secondary levels, which indicates that advantage is being taken of the many government opportunities and programmes two of which are the school feeding and school uniform programmes.
Land demarcation
Over the years, Government has been making provisions for Amerindian villages to have their lands demarcated and today there are 96 of the 172 Amerindian villages demarcated in recognition of the fact that Amerindians represent 9.1 percent of the population.
Harsawack informed residents that applications for extension to titled areas are currently under review by Government.
Region 9, like other regions across the country will also benefit from government’s One Laptop per Family programme, which is geared at providing each household with a laptop computer.
A GINA feature - October 17, 2011
Source - GINA
Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and team on their way to ApoteriThe PPP/C Administration has constantly highlighted its commitment towards the progressive development of Amerindians and its support and concern for them are revealed daily. From October 13 – 16, this facet of its commitment was further demonstrated when a team of officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and Region Nine’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) conducted another outreach in Region Nine.
The team of Permanent Secretary, Nigel Dharamlall, Hinterland Development Coordinator, Harrypersaud Nokta, and Regional Executive Officer, Region Nine, Ronald Harsawack visited Fairview, Surama, Wowetta, Annai, Apoteri, Crashwater, Rewa and Kwatamang.
A section of those gathered at one of the many areas Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and team visited.Truly demonstrating the administration’s unwavering commitment to addressing matters of concerns affecting the grass roots, the team listened to and addressed concerns that included; the progress of Amerindian development, food security, supply of potable water and the need for more both fuel, and boats to assist the communities in transporting their produce. Residents were also reminded of the challenges they once faced which were overcome with the aid of the current administration.
The first stop was at Fairview which is geographically in Region Eight where Nokta acknowledged that while government has done a lot over the years much is still to be done and is confident that progress will continue since there are a lot of capable youths to do so. He spoke of the Government’s commitment towards the development of all Guyanese through measures to ensure that the country is food secure and that every child benefits from school feeding, uniform assistance and literacy programmes.
General development
Dharamlall noted that Fairview is a historic village in Guyana due to the fact that in November 2009 the Governments of Guyana and Norway signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in the said village.
Dharamlall emphasised one of the principles of the PPP/C Administration that is the belief in the culture of hard work which is no different from the lifestyle of the Amerindians.
The Hymac, a promise fulfilled by Government to Annai“For us, development is not about the power of the government; development comes from the power of the people,” he said.
REO, Harsawack noted that the Fairview of three years ago is definitely not the same today due to visible improvements in the community in terms of the availability of education, health, and agriculture services along with the necessary infrastructure. He recognised that the Village Council has also been playing its role in the developmental process with support from the Government’s Presidential Grants which significantly drive development at the village level.
Harsawack drew a picture of the state of hinterland communities in Region 9 prior to 1992 where villagers did not have access to basic necessities such as education and health for which they had to travel to Lethem or Annai to access. There have since been vast improvements in these areas.
The aluminum boats that were given to Rewa, Crashwater and Apoteri when a team led by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall conducted an outreach to Region 9With regards to the presidential grant, he indicated that it has doubled and will see each Amerindian community receiving $3M to execute a project that will create employment for the villagers while generating revenue for continued and sustained development in the respective villages.
While in Surama, the team acknowledged that three prominent Amerindians-the late Stephen Campbell, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett have made, and in the case of the latter two, are still making significant contributions on behalf of their fellow Amerindians and they must be applauded for such.
Children in Apoteri accessing a community stand pipeAdditionally, Amerindian development is also being facilitated through the establishment of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, and the advancement of the Amerindian Act.
Rewa, Crashwater and Apoteri were recent recipients of an aluminum boat equipped with a 15 horsepower engine while Apoteri and Crashwater benefitted from a new school; Annai from improved roads, a new health centre and solar home systems. Annai also had an $18M promise fulfilled when the team handed over the keys to a Hymac.
Roads/bridges
The REO pointed out that this year alone, the RDC is spending $87M for the upgrade of roads in Lethem and the Deep South Rupununi while the Ministry of Public Works will be spending an additional $999M to up-grade the main access road to Lethem and Region 9.
The upgraded Annai road networkThus far work has already started from the Lethem end, and will improve accessibility and result in the reduction in the price for food and other commodities.
During the years 2006 to 2010, approximately $345M was spent to maintain and upgrade the region’s roads and construct bridges.
Solar Electrification
In terms of the progress of the Hinterland Electrification Programme, Harsawack said the 65-watt solar panels will make life easier for the housewives, farmers and students. One hundred and eighty four hinterland communities are closer to receiving the solar panels as the first batch of the 11,000 systems earmarked for free distribution has begun to arrive.
Annai Police Station outfitted with solar panelThe availability of electricity also enables the villages to benefit from broadcast of the programmes of the Guyana Education Channel since hinterland communities can now receive signals for the channel. A tower was opened recently in the Region with communities such as Rewa, Annai, Surama, and Rupertee already being able to view programmes.
Dharamlall explained that government has continually invested large sums to upgrade the Lethem Electrical power grid in order for residents to enjoy longer periods of electricity and to provide similar services to unserved areas.
An estimated 274 households across the Region have benefitted from a solar home system, which came at a cost to government of $52M.
Education
Harsawack informed residents that during the years 2006 to 2010 in excess of $498M were spent to equip the schools in the region with the necessary furnishings. More than $70M was invested for the construction of a modern secondary school at Sand Creek.
The new school at ApoteriDharamlall alluded to the fact that the region has seen outstanding performances both at the national examinations for the primary and secondary levels, which indicates that advantage is being taken of the many government opportunities and programmes two of which are the school feeding and school uniform programmes.
Land demarcation
Over the years, Government has been making provisions for Amerindian villages to have their lands demarcated and today there are 96 of the 172 Amerindian villages demarcated in recognition of the fact that Amerindians represent 9.1 percent of the population.
Harsawack informed residents that applications for extension to titled areas are currently under review by Government.
Region 9, like other regions across the country will also benefit from government’s One Laptop per Family programme, which is geared at providing each household with a laptop computer.