MINISTER of Finance Winston Jordan, on Monday, handed over a new David G boat and engine at the cost of approximately $10 million to the Region Two Regional Administration, through its Department of Education, to assist in transporting children to school for the new school term.

The simple handing over ceremony took place at Charity Wharf in Region Two in the presence of Region Two Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran and Regional Education Officer, Ms. Nichola Matthews.

The new David G Boat will add to the two other boats that were gifted to the Pomeroon region by President David Granger through the 5 B’s initiatives. A new four-stroke 200 hp engine, valued $4.5 million, was also handed over.

Handing over the boat, Minister Jordan said that he was on a recent outreach in the Pomeroon communities where the requests were made for a boat and engine.
“It gives me great pleasure to commission the two boats and to hand them over to the Regional Administration and I trust that they will be preserved, they will be maintained, so that the end beneficiaries which are our children will have access to it,” Minister Jordan said.

Minister Jordan told regional officials that the boat will operate within the Lower Pomeroon district especially for the Akawini and Hackney children to benefit. He said that the government of Guyana was investing heavily in the education system and as such was providing modes of transportation for children to attend schools. He, therefore, called on officials to monitor and to ensure that the boat served its purposes.
Accepting the boat was Regional Education Officer, Ms. Matthews, who expressed gratitude to the Minister and his office. She said that the children of Pomeroon will benefit tremendously and assured the Minister and his team that the boat will be serving its purpose.

“Improvements”

Regional Executive Officer Denis Jaikarran said the two additional boats and engines will boost the transportation services in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon. He said residents of the Pomeroon-Supenaam region have benefitted tremendously from the President 5 B’s programme, adding that apart from the Boat and Bicycles the Regional Administration was also catering for children who were travelling from the Hinterland communities to attend school. These children were in the dormitory and were being provided with meals.