–marine cage initiative to be launched in Capoey, President Ali says

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that there will be three agriculture projects for the Mainstay/Whyaka Village and a massive fishing project for Capoey.
The Head of State, who made those announcements while engaging residents of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), said that the projects are expected to increase economic resilience, expand the economic base, open new economic opportunities, as well as new forms of employment for the residents of the communities and surrounding areas.

In Mainstay/Whyaka, the President said that the government will invest in a facility for a special poultry project that is aimed at satisfying the meat demands for the Lake Mainstay Resort and the village itself.
This project, he noted, will be financed by the government, and led by young residents.

“The government is going to invest in a facility within the school that the children will own,” President Ali said, adding: “Because I believe the new generation, from a very early age, must be exposed to entrepreneurship, and the challenges to the world.”

The President said that he has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to look at the communities of Mainstay and Capoey so as to come up with a model for the proposed investment. He said that currently, the Mainstay resort has a demand for almost 1,000 pounds of chicken per month, and that the government is also aiming to make young people understand that there is dignity in agriculture, and that the new methods of farming include technology, as well as scientific methods and research and development.

The second project, the Head of State announced, will see the government providing capital investment for a commercial marine cage aimed at providing the community with 11 tonnes of fish every nine months.
He said that as early as next week, technical staff from the Ministry of Agriculture will be in the community to begin establishing the project.

“They will be doing the testing, and looking at the best possible location,” President Ali said, adding that the required measurement of the project is three by 30 metres of flowing water.

“Once we do this right, the annual profitability can be as much as $10 million,” the President said, adding: “So, we are not sitting and waiting; we are looking at ways, methods, policies and programmes that we can bring on board to uplift your life. Because that is what we want; we want all of you to benefit from the prosperity.”

The third project, the President said, will be to expand pineapple production in the village.
The Head of State related: “You are known to produce the best pineapple. We want to work with the village and farmers to see how we can accelerate this production; to see how we can add value once again to this production.”

The President also said that the government has committed to advancing work on the community’s access road so as to assist it in realising its “tremendous” tourism and agriculture potential.

“The government is with you; we are with you! Together, we have to do this; this requires all of us to think differently. Also, we have to think about the bigger picture; the macro picture… We have to embrace the future together, and build together. The Government is your partner; as your President, I am your partner,” President Ali said.

Meanwhile, during a community meeting in Capoey, the Head of State informed residents that the marine-cage project is aimed at producing over 30,000 tonnes of fish that is expected to bring in more than $6 million in profit annually.

The project will be spearheaded by the villagers. Additionally, the President announced that the government will be procuring a 32-seater bus to assist the village. In both communities, the President handed over sporting gear to youths.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond; Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken and current acting Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Colonel Julius Skeete, and other regional and government officials joined the President at the meeting.