IN AN effort to make life easy for residents of the ‘Deep South Rupununi’ village of Masakenari, the regional administration last Thursday gifted the community with an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).The presentation took place at the RDC compound in Lethem, seat of administration of Region 9 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)
where the keys to the vehicle were handed over to the village’s Toshao, Paul Chekema.

The vehicle, which cost the Region a hefty $2.8M, will, according to Chekema, be used to transport villagers around the community and further afield, particularly in an emergency.

Among those present at the presentation ceremony were Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock; retired hinterland affairs employee Yakoruma Washa; Senior Superintendent of Works Collis Nicholson; and Regional Executive Officer Carl Parker.

Toshao Chekema said that because Masekenari is located in such a remote area, transportion has always been a problem for the community.

But with the acquisition of the ATV, residents will now be able to move around more freely.

Before, he said, all they had to depend on by way of transportation, were bicycles, the odd motorcycle, or on foot, which is largely how most people get around.