The development of a housing scheme area at Amelia’s Ward, is proving to be a boon to government as residents, expecting to benefit from the predicted economic growth, relocate to the Region Ten community.
A Government Informa-tion Agency (GINA) press release said the new scheme is now home to thousands of Region Ten (Upper Dem-erara/Upper Berbice) residents. From an area which was overgrown with brush, GINA said, massive development works have transformed the area into a progressive spot which includes paved roads, a state-of-the-art school and electricity and water supply. Jacqueline Kitt, a resident of the area said the scheme has been transformed into a modern community. “When I came to live here we didn’t have potable water, and the roads were under construction. A massive transformation has occurred in the last two years…” she said. Kitt also said the prospect of homeownership has motivated residents from the outlying areas as far away as Kwakwani and Ituni to relocate to the scheme adding that “the infrastructural development here is very encouraging.”
Another resident, Pearlina Gift, said the government’s building of a school in the area is much appreciated. “Parents now find it easier because their children will not have to travel long distances to reach school.” She said it also allows them to save money that would have otherwise been spent on transportation.
GINA said the region is poised for economic progress as the bauxite industry has been revitalised and other growth and development enterprises have been established. The Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF), a multi-million dollar project funded by the European Union, is also set to resuscitate the region’s economic growth and development. The fund provides financial assistance to micro, small and medium size enterprises. LEAF is a component of the Linden Economic Advance-ment Programme.
