Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmangal
Stabroek News spoke to Toshaos and a senior councillor from various villages in the hinterland about the cost of living and how it is affecting them. They were in Georgetown for the National Toshaos Conference. The following are their comments:
Sebastian Scipio, Toshao for Tuseneng village, Region 8: `Farmers are being affected by the cost of living since the price for foodstuff are high and the cassava farmers planted (but) the roots had rottened quickly. Also, the transportation cost villagers have to pay to traverse around the village is expensive. And, the truckers that sells food items in the village, raise their own prices on food items because of the bad roads that are filled with potholes. Another thing, the people in the village are mostly farmers and people are finding it hard to find jobs and it affects them a lot when purchasing items from the truckers because the prices are high. For instance, a 10 kg bag of sugar cost almost $3,800 now from the truck; three months ago the same bag of sugar was cheaper. Even rice gone up. Also, fish gone up, the villagers hardly getting fish. A pound of Hourie cost $700 now; a few months ago the cost was $500. I would like the government to help with smoothing the roads, I did request from the government for materials needed to full the potholes on the roads so truckers can sell their food items at a reasonable cost to villagers. Also, most farmers planted their crops but they are having difficulties with getting fertilisers and pesticide for their plants. I would like if the government can provide us with fertilisers, pesticides and seeds in order to help farmers when planting so the prices for food items can be reduced.”
