The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development handed over four solar systems to Regions Two, Five, Nine and Ten in order to boost the delivery of education and health care.
Regional executive officers Sunil Singh, Floyd France, Donald Gajraj and Henry Rodney received the solar panels at a simple ceremony hosted at the ministry’s Kingston office on Tuesday. Permanent Secretary Sewchan said the equipment was procured last year and “because of the competitiveness the money that was appropriated in 2008 we had a saving of $1.6 million.”
The National Assembly granted approval for Wakapao, Moraikobai, and Crash Water in Region Nine and Calcuni in Region Ten to benefit from the panels. Sewchan said the finance ministry granted approval to buy other systems for Bettany in Region Two with accessories to improve and share information related to health and education programmes in the community. The panels were procured at a cost of $3.1M. Sewchan said the systems will boost capability in the health sector where the panels will help to generate electricity to preserve vaccinations that must be kept refrigerated.
Meanwhile, Singh said he was grateful for the equipment adding that it will help to enhance education programmes and help to preserve medicines which are being stored in remote areas. He said, “rather than having persons coming out from these far flung areas for medical care we can now have it done in the hinterland areas. It would be less costly and more effective by doing it at the location.”
Rodney also said the equipment would benefit his region. “It is our intention to use this system to enhance the level and comfort at the Calcuni health centre…” he said. France and Gajraj also said the panels will be used to provide power to boost the delivery of health care.
