By Michel Outridge

REGIONAL Democratic Council (RDC) Regional Executive Officer, Carl Parker,has said that Lethem has great economic potential, but like other newly established towns, there is need for more development.Parker told the Guyana Chronicle during a recent visit that the challenges are many and varied in Region Nine, which has five sub-districts.
He explained that these sub-districts are very far-flung in the Pakaraimas which is mountainous and transportation in that area is dependent on the use of ATVs (all-terrain vehicles). Parker said while the north is a very developed part of the region, the riverine communities have their own challenges.

DRY SEASON
He noted that the dry season has taken a toll on Region Nine, more so in the Central and South-Central Rupununi, with just one main river running through the area. Parker stated that the Deep South Rupununi has an existing conflict with a mining company and the area which was once considered the bread basket of the region, is now in turmoil.

The REO explained that the large mining company has a prospecting licence but there are small miners and villagers who depend largely on the Marudi Mountains for their livelihoods.

COMMUNICATION
Parker told the Guyana Chronicle that the biggest challenge in the region is communication in relation to the far-flung areas, since they do not have televisions, radios or cellphones, especially in South Pakaraimas.

Parker stated that they are virtually cut off from mainstream Guyanese current affairs, which is very challenging because at times when one get news from those areas, it is often late, or so late, that you have to hurry…recently a vehicle was dispatched for a sick resident, but by the time it arrived there the woman was better.

He pointed out that the main challenge is information-sharing and dissemination of information. Parker noted that they went into some villages and saw the portraits of the former president and prime minister hung up in places, because the people there had no idea that the government had been changed after the May 11, 2015 general and regional elections.

THE ECONOMY
He told this newspaper that the other challenge is economic, since the region has not taken off where the economy is concerned, although a commercial zone has been constructed. Parker said that in this commercial zone, most of the businesses are operated by foreigners, Chinese and Brazilians, but the buildings are owned by locals who collect rent.

The REO recalled that in the early 1990s, plans were in train to establish an industrial area to bring about the creation of jobs, but this did not happen. He noted also that Region Nine has a lot of potential for wind power.

Parker pointed out that the youths have been doing poorly in English Language and Mathematics, but are excelling in the other subjects, so it is necessary to examine ways to make it easier for them in schools.

He added that there are youths in the region with nine plus subjects, except Mathematics and English Language, but they cannot get jobs.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
However, Parker noted that at St Ignatius, there is a vocational education programme which has been going on for the past two years and it is geared towards equipping the youths with lifeskills, so that they may be gainfully employed.