FOUR government ministers and their teams completed an outreach recently to communities in Sub- Region 2 of the North Pakaraimas, Region 8, during which they provided information on matters of interest to their development and listened to and addressed their concerns. Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, headed a team which visited Taruka, Bamboo Creek, Tuseneng, Monkey Mountain and Paramakatoi.
Some of the issues that were raised by residents of the communities visited were the continued development of their road network, whether or not they would receive solar panels, and dis-satisfaction with opposition parties, whose members make promises during visits but fail to deliver.
“The PPP/C government is a government that is committed to providing the skills, knowledge by way of training, so that our people can access education…we will continue to focus on education, health care and the things that bring you money so that you can earn and provide for your needs,” Minister Whittaker said.
He added that government is proud of the investments made in education which is currently bringing in positive results. “Six children from Taruka did well enough to gain places at the Paramakatoi Secondary School…the Minister of Education has been outreaching and it won’t be long before she outreaches to communities like these…to engage you to see what else her ministry and government can do to deliver a better quality of service as education is very important,” Minister Whittaker said.
He explained that while inter-connecting bridges were built by the Regional Democratic Council, during the course of the year, others, such as the Echilibar Bridge, will be constructed, to benefit hundreds of Region 8 residents.
“These are the kinds of development that we bring to communities across the country…I am happy to know that the Toshao from Tuseneng signed a contract to rehabilitate five miles of road…this will bring employment for the community,” Minister Whittaker said.
He added that his ministry is excited to learn that Taruka and other villages are moving into rice cultivation, and were provided with machinery both from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister.
“We will work together with the region to ascertain what other resources to further boost their efforts of rice cultivation are provided… I look forward to coming back here at a time when you are planting …this is wonderful…government would like to do more,” Minister Whittaker said.
He told villagers that while they are enjoying peace and quietude, and development is taking place, there are some who are trying to disrupt this.
“When we took our 2012 Budget to Parliament, the same politicians who say they love Amerindians voted against some very important items in the budget, like those that dealt with the Amerindian Community Development plans, the solar panel distribution, OLPF, and land titling and demarcation,” Minister Whittaker said.
He explained that government, in its continued efforts to ensure that the development thrust of the country continues, never gave up in its quest for financing to executing critical projects that will benefit all Guyanese, including those in the hinterland communities.
He told them that they will get their solar panels, and other projects that were scheduled will go ahead.
At the recently concluded National Toshaos Council Conference, an agreement was signed between the government and the United Nations Development Programme for the release of the Guyana Redd+ Investment Fund (GRIF) that will see $1.2B deposited to the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), through which an initial $360M will be made available for the execution of projects earmarked under the Community Development Projects.
The Local Government Minister also spoke of the impact of the Linden protest on Amerindian communities.
Government’s outreaches to the hinterland communities serve to ensure continuity in its development efforts, allowing residents to be heard.
The 2012 NTC saw government investing significant sums to host the conference which attracted about 200 Toshaos, community development officers and councilors, so they could  air their concerns and have them addressed.
Other Ministers that were on the outreach were Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony and Minister of Local Government, Ganga Persaud.