UNDER the supplementary provision for the period July 16 to December 31, 2009, approved by the National Assembly recently, $88.4M has been catered for the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme.

The allotted monies will go towards capital expenditure inclusive of the Amerindian development fund and office furniture and equipment; and current expenditures including transport, travel, and postage and training (scholarships).

The programme is aimed at working with individuals in developing skills which will enable them to better their economic activities and aid in the development of communities. It will also provide them with the necessary aptitude needed to be a part of market competition.

The programme is being executed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in collaboration with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) and will assist 15 communities in Region One.

A team of VSO specialists will be providing training in the areas of aquaculture, business development, marketing and finance, food technology, pest control and agriculture.

The specialists are in Guyana for a period of two years and are directly supporting communities so as to develop enterprises which have good advantages and are unique to each community.

The ground work has already been done, and some specialists are already working in the field with communities in Region One.

The specialists are natives of Nigeria, the Philippines, United Kingdom and Canada and include Entomologist Jora Brar who will be focusing on the pest control, Stephen Dandas who will provide training on various aspects of entrepreneurship and business management, Food Technologist Malian Mwangi, Aquaculture Development Advisor Jinky Comon, Marketing and Finance Specialist Michael Sharp and Agriculture Development Advisor Frederick Fajardo. (GINA)