Gov’t will work with Region 8 on rice cultivation thrust – Minister Whittaker
Georgetown, GINA, August 21, 2012 -- Source - GINA
Four Government Ministers and their teams completed an outreach recently to communities in sub- region two of North Pakaraimas, Region Eight during which they provided information on matters of interest to their development and listened to and addressed their concerns.
Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, headed a team which visited Taruka, Bamboo Creek, Tuseneng, Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi.
Tuseneng Toshao receives two contracts from Minister Whittaker to execute five miles of road rehabilitation
Some of the issues that were raised by residents of the communities visited were the continued development of their road network, whether or not they would receive solar panel, and dis-satisfaction with opposition parties, whose members make promises during visits but, fail to deliver.
“ The PPP/C government is a government that is committed to providing the skills, knowledge by way of training; so that our people can access education…we will continue to focus on education, health care and the things that bring you money so that you can earn and provide for your needs,” Minister Whittaker said.
He added that government is proud of the investments made in education which is currently bringing in positive results. “Six children from Taruka did well enough to gain a place at the Paramakatoi Secondary School…Minister of Education has been outreaching and it won’t be long before she outreaches communities like these…to engage you to see what else her Ministry and government can do to deliver a better quality of service as education is very important,” Minister Whittaker.
He explained that whilst inter-connecting bridges were done by the Regional Democratic Council, during the course of the year others such as the Echilibar Bridge will be constructed, to bring benefit and relief to hundreds of Region 8 residents.
A section of those gathered in Taruka to interact with Minister in the Ministry of Local Government Norman Whittaker
“These are the kinds of development that we bring to communities across the country…I am happy to know that the Toshao from Tuseneng signed a contract to rehabilitate five miles of road…this will bring employment for the community,” Minister Whittaker said.
He added that his ministry is excited to learn that Taruka and other villages are moving into rice cultivation, and as such were provided with machinery both from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister.
“We will work together with the Region to ascertain what other resources that are needed to further boost their efforts of rice cultivation… I look forward for coming back here at a time when you are planting …this is wonderful…government would like to do more,” Minister Whittaker said.
Taruka’s Toshao receiving sporting gear from Minister Norman Whittaker, compliments of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport
Spoke in development wheel
He informed the villagers that whilst they are enjoying peace and quietude, and development is taking place, there are some who are trying to impede development.
“When we took our 2012 Budget to parliament, the same politicians who say they love Amerindians voted against some very important items in the budget like those that dealt with the Amerindian Community Development plans, the solar panel distribution, OLPF, and land titling and demarcation,” Minister Whittaker said.
He explained that government in its continued efforts to ensure that the development thrust of the country continues never gave up in its quest for financing to executing critical projects that will benefit all Guyanese, even those in the hinterland communities.
He told them that they will get their solar panels and, other projects that were scheduled would go ahead.
Works ongoing to extend the Paramakatoi Primary School
At the recently concluded National Toshaos Council Conference, an agreement was signed between the Government and the United Nations Development Programme for the release of the Guyana Redd+ Investment Fund (GRIF) that will see $1.2B deposited to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) through which an initial $360M will be made available for the execution of projects earmarked under the Community Development Projects.
The Local Government Minister also spoke of the impact of the Linden protest on Amerindian communities.
Government’s outreaches to the hinterland communities serve to ensure continuity in its development efforts, allowing residents to be heard.
Minister Norman Whittaker interacts with Hinterland scholarship student Debra Ruth from Monkey Mountain Region Eight
The 2012 NTC saw government investing significant sums to host the conference which attracted about 200 Toshaos, Community Development Officers and Councillors with the objective of them airing heir concerns and having these addressed.
Other Ministers who were on the outreach to various communities were Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Culture Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud.