Government funds solar panels for hinterland villages

Government has tapped into the budget to fund solar panels for hinterland villages and is prepared to do the same for land demarcation exercises owing to slow disbursement of funds from the forests’ saving deal with Norway, President Bharrat Jagdeo told Amerindian leaders yesterday.

In his address at the opening session of the National Toshaos Conference being held at the International Con-vention Centre at Liliendaal, the President promised that within two to three months, solar panels will be given to each home in every Amerindian community. Government is also prepared to tap into the budget for land demarcation even though it is costly, Jagdeo said to loud applause. The government had earmarked funds from the agreement with Norway to pay for these projects.

One hundred and seventy-two toshaos and senior councillors from across Guyana have gathered for the conference which ends on Friday. In a 40-minute long speech, during which he reminded the toshaos that this was his last address to them as