Twenty Amerindian communities in the Rupununi, Region Nine on Saturday received aid from the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, based on “long-awaited” requests for assistance.
Rupertee, Parabara, Shulinab, Kwatata, Kumu, Annai, Karasabai, Shiriri, Sand Creek and Masakanari are among the villages that were the beneficiaries, the Government Information Agency (GINA) has reported. It said that tractor trailers, harrows, plows, sewing machines, laptops, chainsaws, a solar panel, an outboard engine, a motorcycle, a radio set and a microscope were among the items handed over to Toshaos by Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai and PPP Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar.
The handing over coincided with a visit by President Bharrat Jagdeo at St Ignatius. During a meeting with the Toshaos, President Jagdeo told them of the initiatives undertaken by the administration to install solar panels in all homes, and to set up computer training hubs in every village. They were also told of the $600M project underway to fix the main road to Lethem and connect regions Eight and Nine. Four different contractors are currently working on the project simultaneously. The renovation of the bridges is also said to be on the cards.
Jagdeo, GINA said, explained that the project has a two-fold objective; improving access to the Rupununi, and improving the lives of the Amerindians who have been facing challenges as a result of the absences of such services.
