…gov’t pumps $10M to kick-start project

GOVERNMENT has channelled some $10M into kick-starting the construction of a $30M Malll at Santa Rosa, Moruca in Region One and will also be pushing to complete two processing facilities in Region Nine.

The Committee of Supply in the National Assembly this week unanimously approved $1.9 billion expenditure for the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to execute its mandate to the Indigenous peoples in 2019.

Ministers Sydney Allicock and Valerie Garrido-Lowe disclosed that in excess of seven hundred million dollars will be expended on the execution of Amerindian Development Projects or hinterland villages and communities come 2019.

The sum of $235,300M will be invested in 215 villages and communities under the Presidential Grant Programme. Minister Allicock explained that villages are expected to submit respective project proposals in support of existing livelihood projects; develop new economic, social and environmental initiatives and provide job opportunities for residents.

He said this will increase entrepreneurial capacity as part of the government’s commitment to empowering the Indigenous peoples. Further, he said the construction of a $30M Mall in Santa Rosa, Moruca, Region One is among other economic projects on the cards. This multi-year investment (three years) is a 40’x60’ two-story building with some ten million dollars allocated in 2019 to assist the village in bringing this investment to fruition.

In addition, Allicock noted that the ministry’s flagship youth programme—the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) continues to see the government invest significant financial and other support to the nation’s indigenous youth.
In 2019, he said in excess of $176M will be spent on additional support to the programme which will unravel in the form of monitoring and mentorship through cluster training.

He explained this is to ensure best practices are employed and youths receive the prerequisite skills to effectively operate and manage their business to ensure growth and sustainability. Of the sum, he said $12M has been budgeted for some 2000 youths to receive additional support through the acquisition of small grants ($50,000 each).

Meanwhile, Minister Allicock said Kwebanna Village is also benefitting from a multi-year (three years) Cassava Flour Processing Facility, while Smith Creek Fish and Crab Facility will also receive additional funding for completion. He explained that this two-year project is valued at $16.7M with $10M already invested in 2018 for the construction of the facility and startup, while the second year will see an additional $6M invested for the installation of solar panels.

The indigenous affairs minister said Warapoka Village, Region One is also earmarked for support towards improving its community-based eco-tourism initiative since the spotting of the much sought-after Harpy Eagle.

He said $5M was allocated in 2018 for upgrades to two rooms at the Villages Guest House and the construction of a benab to accommodate the village office and a museum.

Allicock explained that a further $2M will go towards completing this venture which will also aid economic activities in the village.

Meanwhile, Laluni, Region Four and St. Ignatius, Region Nine will each receive a tractor and implements to aid in Agriculture production, while the Amokokopai – Phillipai farm to market trail will receive two million dollars for upgrade, St. Deny’s/Tapakuma trail will receive three million dollars for upgrade, Suruma trail three million dollars and Sand Creek catwalk one million dollars budgeted for upgrade.

Underscoring that monies were also approved for construction of several bridges, Minister Allicock said villages to benefit are Wakapoa, Region Two ($1M), Kangaruma, Region Seven ($4M) and Kwatamang in Region Nine ($1M).

In listing some of the other benefits, Minister Allicock said that an agro-processing facility will also be established in Maruranau, Region Nine at as ($10M), food processing facility at Bina Hill, Region Nine ($15M), Paruima Fruit Farm, Region Eight ($3M), Santa Cruz Fruit Farm, Region One ($3M), a lapidary in Monkey Mountain, Region Eight ($5M), an Eco-Tourism project in Karasabai, Region Nine ($2M), rest shelters in Chenapou ($2.5M) and Paramakatoi, Region Eight ($2.2M) and Parishara, Region Nine ($2M).