REGION 9 is the largest administrative region. Over the years, it has had its fair share of initiatives, all aimed at propelling the economy of the numerous villages within this vast expanse of the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo. 

Foremost has been the Presidential Grant initiative, which sees villages receiving monies to start up or continue community projects that generate funds, and more recently the Community Development Plan (CDP) was introduced.
Moreover, with a sizeable population of youths in this region, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government continues to provide opportunities for their development. It would be safe to say that the current administration continues to ensure equity when it comes to development for its people.
Prior to 1992 the hinterland communities were neglected, with no primary, secondary and nursery schools; basic health care for hinterland communities were almost nonexistent while youths were left to the mercy of the ‘gold bush’ and the much dreaded malaria.
Today, all communities in hinterland locations, including Region 9, enjoy their equal share of initiatives.
Recently the Government Information Agency visited several communities in Central Rupununi, where there is glaring evidence of vast development in every sector.
BUILDING VILLAGE ECONOMY
There is an old adage, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”. It is this very philosophy the PPP/C administration has been working with as it seeks to build the economies of Amerindian villages and promote self-sustenance.
With this in mind, the Presidential Grant initiative was birthed in October 2007 and more recently, the Community Development Plan (CDP).

The Presidential Grant Programme’s main objective is to increase investment, strengthen village economies and advance community development. Such investments provide significant financial resources that contribute to increased village assets and developing capacity of the village council and villagers to manage small social, productive and economic projects.
This programme has improved the economic infrastructure in villages through the implementation and management of small projects.
From 2007 to 2014, Government, through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, approved and released over $246.2M in Presidential Grants for projects that have contributed significantly to bettering the quality of life of Amerindians, whilst simultaneously building capacity to survive in an ever changing and rapidly developing world.
In 2009, former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo, set out a vision to place the economy on a low carbon trajectory. This paved the way for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Norway and Guyana to the tune of US$50M per annum for five years. Under this programme villages are accessing GRIF financial resources to implement their CDPs.
The CDP project is expected to benefit more than 180 communities under the Amerindian Development Fund Project and is being done in two phases with funding of $5M each for the development of a community based and led initiative or business investment.
The village of Kaicumbay, which has an estimated population of 200 persons, has benefitted from Presidential Grant funds totalling $3.5M, since the programme was introduced. With funding from 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, the village was able to purchase a 4×4 pickup.
In 2009, the village received $500,000 for the start-up of a village ranch project; the ranch at present has approximately 60 cattle, while in 2007 and 2008 the community started a village shop and livestock project having received $1M.
This community has also benefitted from other interventions, including $5.8M or a cassava processing building.

In Yupukari, the residents are now more self-sufficient as they have benefitted from interventions under the Presidential Grant funding totalling $6M. Some of their projects include savannah farming and cassava processing building.
Over in Parishara, that community has also benefitted from Presidential grants which saw the construction of a market building, and they have started construction of a building which will soon house a guest house and village office.
Going forward these and other communities can expect more as the country’s economy continues to grow and provision is made for more developmental projects. ((GINA)