Two aluminum speed boats valued $600,000 were recently presented to the Amerindian villages of Baitoon and Katu’ur in Region Nine by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to improve the transportation needs of the communities, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai who visited the region recently handed over the boats to senior councillor of Baitoon, Guy Anthony for the two communities.

Sukhai said the purchase of the speed boats is in keeping with a request made by the satellite villages and she urged Anthony to ensure that they are used to assist the communities.

GINA quoted Minister Sukhai as saying, “We expect that when you receive this special gift you take care of it and ensure that the council enters it into their inventory as an asset of your satellite village.”

Anthony expressed gratitude to the minister for providing the boats, noting that residents had been faced with difficulties in  travelling from their communities to Lethem, GINA added.