MAHDIA will be commissioned as a township by the 2017 independence anniversary, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said.He made the announcement recently while delivering the feature address at the Jubilee flag-raising ceremony held in that community.

Minister Bulkan in addressing residents said his administration had planned to make Mahdia a township, but unfortunately it did not happen.

“The reason for this delay is due to technical challenges involving the demarcation of constituencies within Madiha, however, this matter is now engaging our attention and we intend that Mahdia will be a town within one year from today,” he declared.

Mahdia was established in 1884 by emancipated slaves. Since then it has become home to both locals and non-locals.

“Making Mahdia a township is part and parcel of the strategic direction of the Government that each region must have a capital town, which will provide all essential governmental services such as driver’s licenses, passports, NIS, pensions, GRA services, disability payments, land titling, business registration, marriage certificates, and so on,” Bulkan said.

He pointed out that President Granger had stated that Guyana’s new economic geography will emphasise the centrality of capital towns.
He quoted the President as saying that the benefits of capital towns in rural hinterland regions will become evident through the generation of rural, non-farm employment. Poorer folk who always seem to predominate in the rural and hinterland regions may find employment easier in nearby capital towns.

In relation to the agriculture sector in Region Eight, he disclosed that the region’s initiatives are geared to providing food security.

The programme which was recently started will supply inputs to the school-feeding programme and will provide many more sustainable jobs in the region.

“The RDC has developed a framework to stimulate economic ventures. This includes absolute ownership of the crops grown, processed, packaged and marketed. The region is also embarking on introducing shade house agriculture at Kopinang, Kato and Madiha to grow crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, to name a few,” Bulkan said.

He added: “Currently, there are three acres of rice growing at Monkey Mountain and four acres at Kopinang prepared for mixed farming and cultivation, ground provision, beans, etc. The RDC took the initiative to arrive at an innovative which could only be based on community participation with all financial and legal ramifications addressed.”

Minister Bulkan in further addressing achievements made under the RDC since the administration assumed office said that there were capital purchases.

“The RDC will be purchasing $13 million in agricultural equipment for irrigation, land preparation, and a smaller percentage for chemicals to control acoustic ants and other pests and diseases in the farms,” he said.

Minister Bulkan spoke about the significant growth and development made in education, declaring that education is the gateway to numerous opportunities.

“Every day the administration is mindful that your schools need better equipment and more staff. That is why the administration is committed to improving the schools across this region and throughout country,” he declared.