Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall recently handed over an outboard engine and boat to Akawini, after residents complained about transportation difficulties.

Lall handed over the 15HP Tohatsu outboard engine and a wooden boat, estimated to cost $800,000 to the riverain community in the Pomeroon River at a brief ceremony hosted at the Charity stelling.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release village midwife Leota Durga received the items on the village’s behalf and pledged to make good use of them. Permanent Secretary at the ministry Sewchan, Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh and representatives from the community also attended the ceremony, the release said.

The equipment is exclusively for the use of the village, GINA said, as residents had complained about their transportation woes to the minister during a visit there two weeks ago. It is expected that the transportation boost will help to improve delivery of the area’s social programmes.