Region 9 residents benefit from improved housing

…as US$17.5M Low Income Settlement programme unfolds
HUNDREDS of residents in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) are benefiting from better living conditions under the second Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank IDB Low Income Settlement (LIS) programme under which new houses are built in some cases and roofs are replaced in others. The project is valued at US$17.5M.

President Ramotar assists a girl to cut the ribbon at one of the new homes at Kwatamang while Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai (right) and residents look on. (Adrian Narine photo)

President Donald Ramotar, along with Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Ms. Pauline Sukhai journeyed to Region 9 yesterday for the commissioning ceremony of the completed houses under the pilot project at Kwatamang.
Enthused beneficiaries of the project are from the communities of Kwatamang, Massara, Katoka and Apoteri They received the keys to their new homes from the president, expressed their joy and gratitude to the government for assisting them in enhancing their living conditions. They described the government as a caring one.
Addressing the gathering, the president alluded to the existing poor living conditions in interior communities, recalling he came from the remote island of Caria Caria in the Essequibo River.
He stressed that a good house is essential to an improved quality of life and his government, in recognition of this, has been working assiduously to improve housing conditions across the country.
The LIS was an inevitable outcome of the government’s commitment to improving the lot of the poor and vulnerable, the president explained.
The Head of State made a strong pitch for improvement of one’s education, emphasising that this is essential because an educated workforce attracts investment and helps to strengthen the democratic process.
He cited the examples of Japan, China and India as countries which have made dramatic soci-economic transformation through emphaisis on improving education standards.
A sound education is a precondition for all to have an equal opportunity to improve their lives, he exhorted.

One of the houses built at Kwatamang under the LIS programme

Mr. Ramotar expressed his disappointment at the stalling of the Amaila Hydroject because of the Opposition’s failure to support it, but assured residents that the government is working towards an alternative arrangement to make it a reality.
He noted that while Region 9 residents would not have benefited directly for an electricity supply from the project, but rather would have benefited through savings from reduced fuel imports and electricity subsidies which the government is currently forced to provide in order to maintain a stable electricity tariff.
The president disclosed that $40B is spent annually just for the importation of fuel to generate electricity, while $9B is expended on electricity subsidies, explaining that had the project become a reality, this money could have been saved and invested in development and improvement in the living conditions of people.
He also noted the Opposition cuts in funding for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which places great emphasis on improving the lives of Amerindians, but said the issue would be returned to Parliament during the deliberations s of the 2014 National Budget.
He implored residents not to become detached from these issues, but instead to become concerned and involved in them, because they impact on the quality of their lives.

AML/CTF BILL
Touching on the important issue of the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering/ Counter Financing of Terrorism Bill, Mr. Ramotar explained that all the government is seeking to do is bring our legislation on par with what exists in other Caribbean countries in the fight against “dirty money.
He said it is good to have an Opposition to help maintain checks and balances, but not one that that is “anti-developmental.”

COMMUNITY TOURISM
The President revealed that the government is embarking on developing community tourism which would greatly benefit Amerindian communities, as the money from this would remain within the community. In this regard, he said plans are afoot to establish a Hospitality Institute where members of the communities would be trained in various aspects of tourism.
He noted too that when the Linden/Lethem road is completed, it would further stimulate development in Region 9, because of the need for various services, and also cheaper goods would reach the communities; and there will be better opportunities to market goods produced in Region 9.

(By Chamanlall Naipaul)