— Minister Sydney Allicock

By Ravin Singh
THE 2016 Budget highlights plans by the Government to carry out major infrastructural development projects for the benefit of Indigenous communities, and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, outlined those plans when he spoke during the Budget Debates in the National Assembly on Thursday.

He revealed that the villages of Akawini and Waramuri will be benefiting from establishment of a new nursery and secondary schools respectively; and a number of other primary and secondary schools in hinterland regions will benefit from either repairs or expansion works, he said.

Schools in Region One, namely at Port Kaituma, Santa Rosa, Baramita, Matthews Ridge, Powaikuru and Barabina, will benefit from improvements and the addition of living quarters.

In Region Two, Karawab and Bethany Primary schools will be improved in terms of facilities; both secondary schools at Yarashirima and Warapoka will be extended; and Mashabo and Bethany Primary schools will also be provided with living quarters for staff.

This, according to the Minister, forms part of a package amounting to $196M.

Paramakatoi Secondary and Micobie Nursery schools in Region Eight are also expected to benefit from significant improvements, valued at $36M.

“These interventions will create jobs, restore hope, and improve Village economies.”

In Region Nine, schools to be constructed include one at Pai Pang and another at Tabatinga in Lethem; and while living quarters will be built at Sand Creek school, major improvements are planned for Surama, Aishalton and Wowetta Nursery and Quatata Primary schools in Region Nine. Those works are valued at $94M.

The electricity system at St. Ignatius Secondary in Region Nine will be upgraded at a cost of $9M.

Schools to benefit from solar systems valued at $4.4 million include Kairuni Nursery and St. Cuthbert’s Primary, along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway; and Arau and Phillipai Primary in Region Seven.

The minister also pointed out that Budget 2016 provides for construction of a new dormitory to house tertiary-level students from the hinterland. This is pegged at $10M.

Expansion of the Hinterland Employment and Youth Services (HEYS) will be facilitated through an allocation of $997M, while support via subvention to the Bina Hill Institute of Learning is fixed at $35M. Also, a Resource and document centre for Indigenous Peoples will be established at an estimated cost of $6M. The sum of $25M has been allocated to acquire boats, outboard engines and minibuses to transport children to and from school.

Minister Allicock pointed to several other infrastructural development plans for 2016, but those plans do not fall within the ambit of the education sector.
He highlighted also that roads will be constructed at Mabaruma and Moruca to the tune of $31M.

“We are rebuilding the Umana Yana. It is the pride of Guyana. Its place in the history of Guyana is precious,” he said.

The electricity supply system for Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Siparuta, Orealla, Moraikobai, Moco-Moco, Wauna and Sugar Hill will be improved at a cost in excess of $120M, he said.

The Minister also revealed that rehabilitation of roads at Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge is expected to be done this year. More roads will be rehabilitated at Baramita, Bartica, Puruni, Itaballi, Mabura, Kurupukari to Tabatinga, Ituni to Kwakani, and Mahdia, he added.

As it relates to bridges, he explained that these will be built and fixed at Cassandra Crossing and Sand Creek; Aishalton, Baishaidrun, Paruima, Hosororo, Papaya and Arocuro. These works will be done at a cost of more than $1.7B.

Additionally, the Bartica Stelling and the goods wharf at Kingston, which serves the North West District, will also be rehabilitated. And according to the Minister, Mahdia Airstrip will be completed and the following hinterland airstrips will be rehabilitated: Eteringbang, Annai, Paramakatoi, Kurupung, Kato, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain. These projects are listed in the budget to cost of $241M.

“The listed developmental projects represent but a sample of the interventions which are geared to take Guyana’s hinterland and Indigenous residents closer to the good life. These interventions will create jobs, restore hope and improve village economies,” Minister Allicock told the House.