THE sum of $66,038,967 has been recorded from successful businesses implemented under the Community Development Plans (CDP) project as part of the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF).

This was disclosed by Mildred Akpan, Team Leader, Amerindian Development Fund (ADF). Akpan explained that while this income is nowhere close to the $1.2 billion invested in the project, the amount is a reflection of a portion of the 159 communities who received full disbursement of $730, 351,945 million.

The ADF was established to provide support for the socio-economic development and environmental enhancement of Indigenous communities via the implementation of CDPs. Each of the 186 communities, which qualified for the project were eligible for micro-capital grants of $5 million each under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIFF).

During her presentation at the recently concluded National Toshaos Council conference (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Akpan stated that the value of grants accounted for thus far, is $475,844, 385 million.

She reminded that the CDP project is a community venture and not an individual or family business, and as such “community leaders must give account for the $5 million invested and the profits generated out of the business”.

Addressing the issue of communities with income-generating businesses who have refused to provide reports to the ministry, Akpan made it clear that “the ministry neither the UNDP want your profits! The objective is to see whether you were able to recover the $5 million invested in your communities.”

One of the major challenges incurred during the implementation process is the failure on the part of toshaos and senior councillors to present documents to the new council. This has significant implications on the sustainability of the CDPs and will impede the actions of the new village councils in moving forward with the community businesses.

Akpan also touched on misappropriation of CDP funds, where communities would have converted or cannot account for up to $1.3 million. She, therefore, urged that the residents begin to hold their leaders accountable.

The ADF provides access to funding for community ventures aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurial capacity of Indigenous villages, diversify their economy, create job opportunities and to reduce poverty.

These community business ventures cover agricultural production, agro-processing village infrastructure, tourism, manufacturing, village business enterprise and transportation.
Women made up 55 per cent of the persons who participated in the CDP’s preparation of implementation plans.  Six hundred and fifty-two women out of 1,244 persons were trained in terminologies and concepts, financial accountability and management, marketing and work plan preparation and are assisting in the management of their community business. (DPI)