FOLLOWING the inauguration of various projects worth over $16 million, the residents of El Paso, an Amerindian village situated in Region Eight, will now reap the benefits of enhanced social and economic development.

The projects were formally commissioned by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, during her visit to the Potaro-Siparuni district on Tuesday.
The government provides funding for all of the ventures through the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Culture, Youth, and Sport.

One of the major projects commissioned is a multipurpose building valued at more than $10 million. The edifice comprises an information and communications technology (ICT) hub, a two-bedroom guest house, and a sewing centre.

The Chairperson of the Community Development Council (CDC), Jinette Singh, provided an explanation stating that the villagers will now be able to access technology and online courses, along with a designated area to enhance their sewing skills.

Individuals who wish to visit the region will also experience improved lodging options.
Moreover, the recreational requirements of the villagers will be catered to through the construction of a pavilion and the commissioning of recreational amenities.

Furthermore, a benab valued at $7 million has been inaugurated to function as a gathering space for residents and various community functions.
Singh pointed out that the village has undergone significant transformation in recent years, which can be credited to government initiatives.

She reminisced about the pre-2020 era when the small village was neglected and the residents received minimal attention.
“I want to thank the government for all the developmental projects that are taking place in El Paso. We welcome that and we will make full use of our projects and their benefits…Everyone would benefit in the long run,” she told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Singh also received the keys to a brand new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) to assist in carrying out the administrative functions of the village.
Meanwhile, Minister Sukhai praised the leadership for executing projects efficiently and expressed confidence that they will have a positive impact on the lives of the villagers.

“I am very pleased with the level of activism, with the level of performance, and the delivery of projects in record time,” she stated.
The minister also announced that the community will be benefitting from a pickup, which will be procured to the tune of $6.5 million.

In 2023, El Paso received some $10 million in carbon credit funds and is undertaking the construction of a play park for children, while the village’s playground will be expanded.
The government is actively investing in the development of Amerindian villages across the entire nation. The purpose of these investments is to enhance the economies of these regions, thus enhancing the social welfare of the villagers.