Region Six’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) has proposed spending $9M to rehabilitate the dilapidated Amerindian Hostel at Stanleytown, New Amsterdam.
The proposal was announced at a 2017 budget presentation on Monday.
David Armogan, Regional Chairman of Region Six, subsequently told Stabroek News that the money will be used to rehabilitate the existing structure, add more toilet and bath facilities as well as additional bedrooms.
“We have to do some work to make them comfortable,” he added, while noting that the region is seeing more indigenous students coming out of the Berbice River to attend schools in the New Amsterdam area.
He noted that students are even coming out of Baracara in the Canje River to attend schools.
“We have to make sure to build suitable accommodation for students so that they can have a proper education,” he added.
The building came under scrutiny recently after the Social Development Committee of the New Amsterdam Municipality conducted an investigation which revealed numerous allegations of mismanagement and the misuse of the building.
However, according to Armogan, the hostel was constructed to accommodate the students in the top floor and adults in the bottom. Armogan emphasised that the region will also be looking at providing separate accommodation for adults and allow the Amerindian Hostel to be used exclusively for students. Armogan stressed that as soon as the budget is passed, works will commence on the hostel.
He also emphasised that the $9M is only the initial amount proposed. “We don’t know if the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will also chip in to see if any additional funds will be given,” he said.
