OVER time there has been significant development in Moruca, Region 1 (Barima/Waini) and the lives of residents have been enhanced somewhat.

However, there is need for more employment of youths who have finished school as most of them are not venturing into the traditional livelihood of farming, mining and hunting.

Ingrid Harris, a resident, told the Chronicle that not only Amerindians reside at Moruca and many have moved away from the traditional way of earning a living.

She said that they have seen the construction of many schools and more trained teachers in the area but their immediate needs are employment for youths, who have completed secondary education but have nothing to do now.

Harris observed also that the roads in the region are deplorable and most of them are what they refer to as ‘mud trails’ and the ones that are actually roads were poorly done.
As it is, she added, some of the youths have since applied to be teachers in the riverain areas of the region while others have gone into mining.

Harris said further that most residents who reside in the central area have electricity through the Moruca Power and Light Company and they pay a monthly fee for that service while in the more outlying riverain areas residents use generators.
Water for domestic use is obtained through a standpipe within many yards while others source water from wells and water tanks.

VOCATIONAL INSTITUTE
Harris said that one of the needs in the community is a vocational institute where residents can acquire skills so they can become gainfully employed as there is not much to be done at present in relation to employment.

She disclosed that some residents still pursue farming of ground provisions and fruits on a small to large scale basis but there is limited market for their produce. Something needs to be done so farmers can sell their produce to make a living, she added.

Harris told this publication that there is also a great need for the construction of a modern sport facility in Moruca because there are talented youths whose main sport is football but the young people have nowhere to play.

Moruca village is a picturesque place with notable community cohesion. It has a police station, hospital, post office and a cluster of shops and speed boat services.

By Michel Outridge