Considering the Rupununi Savannah, and assessing what recently unfolded where development is concerned, the President said that bringing those far-off communities on par with the coastland would take some time, but is very foreseeable. However, in the interim, he said the administration continues to put key infrastructural measures in place in all sectors, particularly with a slant towards, and with a solid reason.

“What we have done is to provide the facilities for education, and I think that is very important, because we live in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society, and one of the important aspects of a multi-cultural multi-ethnic society is to ensure that everyone feels totally secure; it’s equal opportunity for all.”

Education 

It is the policy of the current administration, to enhance the social sector; however (he clearly spelled out), it was only by lifting the standard of education in the interior, can one really say that Guyana is truly moving in a direction of providing equal opportunities for all people.

For this reason, over the years, billions of dollars have been spent on the training of teachers and on special incentives for those serving in hinterland communities. Training of health workers is repeatedly done, so as to have them serve in health huts and various hinterland communities.

Each year the administration spends close to $1B on the National School Feeding programme, which sees hundreds of schools in hinterland communities, benefiting from a nutritional meal every day.

The President said that this caring initiative is bearing fruit, as reports from the various regions, including Region 9, indicate a ‘high-level increase’ in attendance rate in hinterland schools. He detailed that the bigger concern here was that of actually capitalising on Government’s input in education (and that it was more than just actually the meals).

A road in Shulinab, Region Nine

In addition to the hot meals, several other schools in the hinterland also benefit from the Cassava Bread and Juice programme, which is also more than just the provision of meals.

These programmes, the President explained, not only benefit the school-aged children, but also the entire community in which they are implemented, and this adds a holistic touch to what Government is doing.

This is because persons from the villages are employed by the school as cooks and kitchen staff, to prepare and serve the meals, while farmers in the communities sell their produce to the participating schools.

Then there is the School Uniform programme, where residents of these villages are given the opportunity to earn.  Through this intervention, the Ministry of Education provides the materials and the women in turn do the actual sewing, and so earn an extra income.

He strongly believes that the programmes implemented thus far have been working well, as there is much evidence to support this fact.

Baitoon Primary School

“I think many of the initiatives that we have (thus far), have worked very well in getting children to school and keeping them there. Last year, we had the $10,000 per child (Cash Grant) and we can probably think more about what we can do in the future, to keep that level very high.”

In going forward, the President noted that the administration is still working closely with the University of Guyana, towards making degree programmes online very soon.

Bridging communities

The education investment is one thing, but the President underscored that, “In order for development to be felt, accessibility is very crucial, as it not only increases productivity, but it also provides important links for further development.”

So being cognisant of this fact, President Ramotar declared that his administration continues to place a lot of emphasis on bridging hinterland communities. Many strides have still been made in this area, despite some challenges, to the much needed infrastructural works, that are so needed in the hinterland region. “We still have more work to do as far as some of the infrastructure is concerned in the villages themselves, but that will also come, as our whole economy improves, and we start to generate more wealth within the society.”

In this regard, it was pointed out that several road networks have been improved over the years, thus cutting travelling time to communities in the Rupununi by almost half.

These interventions now make accessibility easier, allowing for more services to reach persons in these once remote communities. The fact was pointed out too that in terms of personal ease, life is easier, when transportation is more available, and according to the President, the administration always sees the big picture.

“Very soon we will be bridging Sand Creek and we have the Takutu River in one area, and we are going to work towards bridging the Rupununi River in the future, so that we can have much more efficient and effective communication, even in the rainy weather, so that no section will be cut off.”

Children of Meriwau about to be taken to school with a minin bus given to the village by government

In 2014, $48 M was spent on improving road networks in Central Lethem, while in South Central, the road networks at Potarinau were done, at a cost of $3.4 M, and between Katoonarib and Sawariwau, $3.5 was spent. In the Deep South Rupununi, between Aishalton and Awarewaunau,  $3.6M was spent on road works, and between Awarewaunau and Maruranau, another  $3.57M was spent.   An additional $5.9 M was spent under current works on Central Lethem, with $11.3 M for spent on roads in Rupunau, and Shulinab, which are both located in South Central.  St Ignatius and Tiger Pond also benefitted from road works, valued about $10M.

So when education takes on the community and many communities are interlinked, life naturally rises to a higher level, and this is precisely what has been the transformation for many hinterland villages.

 Desired effect

In the modern world, electricity is a necessity, and this is where the Hinterland Electrification Programme (HEP) comes in. It was crafted by Government with remote hinterland communities in mind, with the aim of providing a reliable source of electricity, to those who never had this privilege in decades.

To date, more than 189 Amerindian communities are benefiting, and according to the President, the initiative has enjoyed its desired effect, bringing quality of life and an increase in industriousness wherever it has touched.

“Many have spoken of what a huge difference it has made in their lives, as the Hinterland Electrification programme has had a positive impact in their lives and it will bring about more productivity.”

The President said during his many visits to hinterland communities, persons would always commend the administration for the initiative, which now sees many homes, being equipped with a solar panel.

Happy children of Baitoon Primary school decked out in uniforms, compliments of the Government

In Region Nine, communities including Quarrie, Kumu, Shiriri, Katuur, Baitoon, Potarinau, Meriwau, Shulinab, Quiko, Parikwarunau and others have benefited from this initiative. Residents of these communities have all reported seeing improvements in their lives. Parents of school-aged children said the grades of their children continue to improve, as they are now able to put in extra studies at nights.

Women of these communities also spoke of how livelihood has been improved, as they are now able to do more work in the evening, whereas in the past, they were only able to work until sunset.

“We thankful for this solar panel. We children now benefit. I got three and they now do homework in the night. Thank you Mr. President,” one Aishalton resident told the Government Information Agency recently.  

Security presence

Another reality where the development of the hinterland communities is concerned is that of security, as concomitant with progress is the element of set back in the form of criminal activities. In this regard, many innovations have reached the communities, so that the maintenance of law and order is intact. As a matter of fact, security matters are now a priority for the current areas, more so, around the country’s borders.

In the past, communities surrounding Lethem, in the Deep South, South and North Rupununi, depended heavily on the Lethem Police Station.

School children of Shulinab enjoying a hot meal courtesy of the Government

However, since the dis-joining of the “E” and “F” Police Divisions, several communities have seen the resuscitation of Community Policing Groups (CPGs).

For decades, many Amerindian communities and their property were left to the mercy of the borders in Region Nine, but over the past year, residents said that they feel a bit safer with the active CPGs.

Eric Williams, Chairman of the F ‘2’ Division Community Policing Executive, which was formed in February of 2014, stated that since the resuscitation of the CPGs, crime in many communities has decreased.  With 25 active groups in the Rupununi, these and some 200 ranks have been able to ease the pressure on the police ranks at the Lethem Police Station.  The CPG members work closely with the village councils of the various communities, as well as with the Rural Constables (RCs).

From time to time, training is provided in different areas for the CPG members, including how to handle matters of domestic violence.

Williams added that the work is made easier, as they have been getting the full support from the villagers whom they serve.

Some of the communities in which CPGs have been formed include Quarrie, Kumu, Shiriri, Katuur, Baitoon, Potarinau, Meriwau, Shulinab, Quiko, Parikwarunau, Rupunau, Awarewaunau, Maruranau, Sawariwau, Katoonarib, Aishalton, St. Ignatius, and Sand Creek.

In reality, the hinterland of Guyana is not all about pristine beauty and exotic plants and animals; it is about a thriving and emerging civilisation. It may not be as yet ultra modern, but it cannot be described as primitive.

The villages are blooming with important infrastructure coming into place steadily. For now, they are well set with education systems being in place, road networks being improved and expanded, electricity flowing economic ventures and for after sunset activities,  and law enforcement not lagging.

 It is only a matter of time then for Guyana’s hinterland to become all that it has so long promised to be.