Region 2 chairman highlights Govt investments in Amerindian communities

Chairman of Region 2, (Pomeroon – Supenaam), Mr. Parmanand Persaud, has reminded Amerindians of St Monica village in the Upper Pomeroon River of Government’s massive investments in their community over the past 22 years as they celebrated Heritage Day on Friday.Mr. Persaud in an address to a large crowd of Amerindians who had gathered in and around the community centre for the Heritage Day celebrations, said it was the late President of Guyana Dr. Cheddi Jagan who set aside the 10th of September as Amerindian Heritage Day and the month for Amerindians to showcase and celebrate their cultures. He said the late President had also set up a ministry in  his Government to look into the affairs of all Amerindians across the country so as to transform their communities through development and bring them into the mainstreams of national life. The chairman reminded residents that before the PPP/C Government had acceded to office on October 5th, 1992, they were counted as second-class citizens.
Mr. Persaud said the PPP/C Government has invested heavily in Amerindian communities and pointed to education as one area. According to the Chairman, the Government has built and rehabilitated schools in all communities so as to provide students with conducive environments to study and learn. He said Wakapoa is a typical example where a secondary school was constructed to provide students with secondary education. According to Mr. Persaud, the school has a dormitory where students from far-flung areas in The Pomeroon and other communities are housed free of cost by Government to pursue secondary education. Mr. Persaud added that the Government is currently conducting a survey in the Pomeroon to start secondary education.
The chairman said that because of Government’s investments, Amerindians are now graduating as doctors, nurses, engineers, police officers and in every area of endeavour. He said the Government is training residents in areas especially as health workers to serve their communities.
Mr Persaud said the Government has given every home in Amerindian communities in Region 2 solar power panels so they could access electricity and children could study at nights to advance their education. He also reminded Amerindians that the Government has set up a solar panel water system in their community so they could have access to portable water. The Chairman said under agriculture, the Government has empoldered and drained some 71,one- acre plots for residents of St. Monica to farm with the objective of boosting agricultural development. According to the chairman, the Government has also invested in sports to develop playgrounds in The Pomeroon, so that young people could excel in sports.
The chairman also brought greetings from His Excellency President Donald Ramotar and General Secretary of the PPP Mr Clement Rohee to all Amerindians of St Monica, as they celebrate their Heritage Day.

(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo.)