Kato Micro-hydropower plant to improve hinterland development

October 24, 2013, By KNews, Filed Under News, Source

President Donald Ramotar has reaffirmed his commitment to forge ahead with projects to advance development in hinterland regions despite the Oppositions non-support. He said that there are Government’s plans to construct a small hydro power plant at the mouth of the Chiung River, Kato in Region Eight.

President Donald Ramotar delivering the feature address at the NTC conference

This remark was made during his feature address at the National Toshaos Council (NTC)’s Seventh Annual conference on Monday.

The President was, at the time, drawing attention to progress that is seen in hinterland communities “despite unnecessary obstacles”, particularly cuts in the country’s annual budget over the past two years. These cuts, he said, have had a direct impact on hinterland development.

Referring to the Amerindian Land Titling Project, the President said that the project would have started a year ago had it not been for the $18.4 Billion cut in the 2012 budget, which included funding for the LDCS Guyana Red Cross Investment Fund.

The project, on Monday, received US$10.7 M for the completion of titling to 13 Amerindian communities and the demarcation of 33 villages as well as extension projects, all to be completed in the next three years.

Cuts totaling $19 Billion from this year’s budget were also noted to have halted projects which would have improved access to the hinterland regions. Among these the President mentioned cuts of $175M for interior airstrips, $80M for the acquisition of aviation equipment and $36M for improving the services of the Ogle Airport.

“These are the unnecessary struggles that we have to take. We expended unnecessary energies. These things had been so clear to everyone. I cannot understand what was the confusion that caused some of these things to be cut.”

He spoke of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project that “would have generated savings which would have made “an enormous contribution” to the infrastructural development in the interior.”

While informing that the Government spends almost $9Billion annually to subsidize electricity and about $40 Billion to purchase fuel, he said that with the project, most of the subsidy and savings would have been used to fund projects, allowing work to be done faster, as sometimes with the absence of funds, the work can only be completed in parts.

He said that the outcome of the hydro project is a loss for those in the interior as the infrastructural development is “badly needed for rapid economic development” in the interior.

The President drew attention to the strides in Education, noting that the goal of achieving universal primary education has been achieved. “As far as secondary education is concerned, we still have not reached where we want to be, but we are working and moving in that direction,” he said.

It is on this note that the President reminded of the Kato 330 Kilowatt Micro-Hydropower project. The project was premised under the objective of Government’s broader hinterland electrification programme, with its primary energy source being the 36-metre head waterfall in the Chiung River.

The project was announced in January 2012. It was said to have begun in February and is due for completion in 2015.

It is expected to have generated the capacity of electrical services to be provided to a secondary school complex and other government buildings and to provide electricity to Paramakatoi through a 16 km transmission line.

The EU had made clear that the construction of the secondary school complex in Kato would be a condition for the investment to be made.

Hence, President Ramotar made clear that the constructions of the schools are ongoing. He said that the new school is expected to house 350 students.

He added that constructions of dormitories to house students who live distances away are also to be completed.

“The future looks promising for people of our country and even more so, the interior area,” the President said. While informing that the government is working to develop infrastructure of the interior area, the President said government is aiming to benefit everyone.

“Roads, transportation, energy; these are things that will have positive impacts on village economies and accelerate development to ensure that the interior regions are not left behind.”