–President Ali says; announces plans for new $45M nursery school at Batavia, $9M to furnish, upgrade teacher’s quarters
–upgrade of health facilities underway; touts 25-acre multi-farm area to supply community, miners

BATAVIA, in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and its neighbouring communities are set to benefit from improved safety, healthcare, education, and economic prosperity in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government’s ambitious development agenda, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

Dr. Ali on Thursday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the “holistic” enhancement of the lives of citizens in the region.
He was at the time interacting with residents of Itabali and Kartabo at Batavia’s Community Pavilion during an outreach to the region.

“We want to ensure that every society, in every community we can enhance safety and work on ensuring that the people of those communities are living in a safer and healthier environment.
“The other thing that we’re doing, and we want to focus on now, as we continue to build the infrastructure in this community is how we enhance prosperity,” he told the residents.

IMPROVED EDUCATION DELIVERY
Pinning education as a cornerstone of community development, President Ali announced significant investments in education infrastructure.

The government has allocated $45 million for the construction of a new nursery school in Batavia, aiming to provide children with modern educational facilities conducive to learning.

Additionally, $9 million will be dedicated to furnishing, upgrading, and repairing teacher’s quarters, ensuring educators have the necessary support and resources to excel in their roles.

“When you look at Batavia in general, since coming back into office we have spent close to $89.5M on improving education here alone,” the President said amid loud cheers from the residents.

PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
President Ali unveiled plans to establish a 25-acre multi-farm area to boost agricultural productivity and food security in the community.

“We are trying to grow onions at a national scale. So, within a year and a year and a half, we don’t need to import onions anymore. We will grow onions right here. We are looking to grow carrots all the Blackeye and Red Beans. We want every community to be integrated in this process,” he said.

President Ali stressed the importance of sustainable development and self-reliance as he explained that the government is actively exploring agricultural initiatives tailored to the region’s soil type.

“There is no reason why miners must go to Georgetown to buy eggs, to buy chicken when we can develop those things right in these communities,” he remarked.
The residents of Batavia will benefit from 50 bee hives to increase the region’s honey productions and also train youth and women in apiculture.

The President further disclosed that there is already a contract with the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation to buy all the honey produced.
He stressed that the initiative aims to not only address local food needs, but also empower residents to sell agricultural products to neighbouring mining communities.

According to him, by investing in agriculture and empowering local farmers, the government seeks to create sustainable economic opportunities and reduce dependence on imported goods.

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES
President Ali reiterated the government’s commitment to empowering communities through direct investment and resource allocation.

Since assuming office, the government has disbursed over $8 million in presidential grants and transferred $24 million from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) fund directly to Batavia.

“In the LCDS fund alone, we have transferred directly $24 million to the community, $13 million which has been disbursed already and you have a balance of $11 million. So, these are the things that we are doing.

“We are not investing alone, we are transferring the resources to you so that you will have the empowerment and you will decide what you want to do, you plan and implement as is necessary,” Dr Ali said.

According to him, these funds enable local communities to plan and implement projects according to their needs, fostering a sense of ownership and self-determination.

HARNESSING RENEWABLE ENERGY
President Ali also highlighted the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions, particularly through solar power.

“Today, we have delivered building 130 solar systems here in Batavia. Including a three-kilowatt solar TV system in the primary school. So, the total power capacity is 23.8 kilowatt. The total investment is close to $12 billion,” he announced.

According to him, these areas would have been tremendously enhanced with the Amaila Fall Hydro Power project which was shelved following the APNU+AFC taking office in 2015.

“But now you would have had a good power supply, but the last government stopped it. You know people forget it was not only five years that they were in government. It was five years that we (PPP/C) were a minority that they Parliament to suppressors and suppress all the development plan,” he said.

The PPP/C administration since entering office in 2020 has sought to breathe new life into the 165 megawatts of power project as the party strives to achieve energy security through an energy mix.
According to President Ali, by harnessing renewable energy sources, the government aims to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources and promote environmental sustainability.

TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES
In addition to infrastructure development, President Ali underscored the government’s efforts to improve healthcare services in Batavia.

A comprehensive rehabilitation and extension project for health posts is underway, with an investment of close to $17 million.

He pointed out to the residents that these initiatives aim to enhance access to quality healthcare and strengthen the healthcare system, ensuring residents receive the medical attention they need closer to home.

RENEWED COMMITMENT TO OLD AGE PENSIONERS
President Ali also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting elderly citizens through the Old Age Pension programme.

Since assuming office, the government has directly transferred $17 billion to old-age pensioners, providing much-needed financial assistance to vulnerable members of the community.
“Remember, old-age pension is also transforming cash directly to your communities,” President Ali said as he told the pensioners that the government would be increasing the sum in months to come.

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE
President Ali underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to the development and well-being of Batavia for a more prosperous community for generations to come.

The President urged residents to actively participate in the development process and assured them that their voices would be heard, and their needs addressed.

Also, Itabali village was presented with a tractor and its farming implements to improve their livelihood and agriculture productivity. President Ali also announced that Kartabo is set to receive 10 pigs to expand the village livestock rearing.

Kartabo and Westerbeck pleaded with the President for improves roads, which the President committed to citing it will bring much relief to them.

President Ali promised that within 30 days all the issues raised would be addressed and commitments delivered to the residents.