WITH one of the main challenges facing Amerindian communities being transportation, the government has been instrumental in assisting from time to time with resolving the situation. 

The latest such instance was last Friday, when the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs handed over a brand new Bedford truck, valued $6.5M, to Mr Albertino Peters, Toshao of Fairview, one of the many villages spread across Region 9 in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo district.

Fairview is located on the bank of the Essequibo River, in close proximity to the Iwokrama Rainforest reserve.
The purchase of the vehicle was as a result of a collaborative effort involving the ministry, villagers themselves, and the Village Council. The village had for years been saving for the purchase of this vehicle, and was finally able to raise the sum of $4M which it contributed to the cause.
The remaining $2.5M was provided by the Council, which came up with $500,000, and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs,
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai, who formally handed over the keys to Toshao Peters, said that besides being used to transport goods from Lethem to Georgetown, the vehicle will also be available for rental.
Iwokrama is likely to be its first customer, as it has already signalled an interest in renting the vehicle.
Just last year, the community received an All-Terrain Vehicle from the ministry.