SEVEN communities in the North Rupununi, Region Nine, have received cheques valued at approximately $6Million to execute community projects under the Presidential Grant Fund.
The cheques were handed over by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock last week Friday during a ministerial outreach to the Rupununi .

Among the villages that received funds are: Rewa $1M for extension of the women’s group centre; Massara $1M for the upgrading of a sports pavilion; Quimata $800,000 for the construction of a village bond; Wowetta $800,000 for the completion of a village benab; Rupertee $800,000 for a water- distribution system; Kwatamang $800,000 also for a water-distribution system and Surama $799,106 for the construction of a benab at the village airstrip

In a release from the Department of Public Information, other cheques presented include: $216, 000 to the Wowetta Women’s Agro-processing for 600 pounds of farine for the school’s dormitory and Indigenous Residence in Georgetown and $100,000 to the Bina Hill Institute for winning the first prize in a football competition.

Minister Allicock encouraged the communities to properly manage their funds and ensure

proper maintenance of the respective projects. “Ensure proper work is done on these buildings, ensure that the contractor sticks with the design and monitors these projects.

It is yours and you have a right to ensure quality work is done,” Minister Allicock advised. The Presidential Grant programme provides communities with the financial resources necessary to fund green, sustainable projects that are aimed at providing required services within their communities.