THE hinterland communities of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) that span the length and breadth of the three main rivers bordering the region are benefitting from community development projects, to the tune of $50 million. These projects are part of the capital and recurring 2019 projects of which $900M has been allocated from the $3.9B budget. Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon, said that in planning and executing, the riverain communities must not be left out and just as they benefitted in 2018, the same has occurred for 2019.

The communities empowered in this regard, include Kwakwani, Ituni, Rockstone, Greatfalls, Muritaro, Malali, Rivers View, Calcuni, DeVelt, Sand Hills and Kimbia. Not only did the Regional Democratic Council (REO) earmark much- needed projects in these communities, but the contracts to execute same were given to the leaders and residents, to further empower them. “We have done a considerable amount of work, working with those communities to empower them economically and also capacity wise, while giving the projects to them through community participation,” Gordon said.

For example, in Kwakwani, the contract to rehabilitate the fence of the Kwakwani Water Front Nursery School was awarded to a youth group in the community. “That was a beautiful project because they used young people, a youth group to do that, they did a wonderful job in the Water Front Nursery School,” Gordon further related. In Kwakwani, other projects that were completed thus far include rehabilitation of the Kwakwani Park Nursery school and a drainage and irrigation project, amongst others.

At Sand Hills, the wharf which provides access to the community’s school was rehabilitated. Schools and health facilities at Muritaro, Malali, River’s View, Rockstone, Ituni, 58 and 47 miles were also renovated by residents. ‘We are continuing those communit- participation projects in all of our riverain communities and our toshaos in the villages have caught on, most of them…..so we have made some strides in this regard,” Gordon posited.

Speaking about the development occurring in Ituni, Community Officer Keisha Griffith-McKane, said that long- awaited internal roads will be rehabilitated. The pavilion at the community playfield will also be refurbished, which in the past, proved to be a major constraint to sports development. The community will also be receiving an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub, from the Ministry of Telecommunications.

The RDC will be assisting the community with construction of the building, which will be outfitted by the ministry. She corroborated REO Gordon’s disclosure that residents are being awarded small contracts by the RDC. This is a means of empowerment, since these small contractors can now employ other residents; thus, monies will be circulating within their small community. “All in all, we are moving forward, we are not stagnant, we are grateful for the road and everything else,” Griffith said.