–Prime Minister Phillips says; emphasises government’s commitment to bridging digital divide

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has underscored the government’s dedication to comprehensive development in Guyana’s hinterland regions, emphasising significant investments and infrastructural improvements.

During a visit to the Upper Mazaruni on Sunday, the Prime Minister reminded his audience that the government is working to provide Internet connectivity to all hinterland areas before the end of the year.

This transformation, he stressed, is significant to bridging the digital divide across the country.

He also assured the people of the Upper Mazaruni region of continued development across all sectors.

“We are bringing development to all your communities. Every community in the Upper Mazaruni will be developed, not only in sport, but in every other aspect of development,” the PM declared.

Over the past four years, the government has invested in hinterland communities by boosting Indigenous leadership with the National Toshaos Council Secretariat, and expanding land rights through a broader titling programme.

Job creation has also been enhanced with the reinstated Community Service Officers (CSO) programme and Presidential Grants. Youth development receives over $1 billion annually, including $100 million for the higher education of 800 hinterland students, while cultural preservations are being supported with $147 million in 2024 to maintain Amerindian traditions and heritage.

The Prime Minister noted that “From 2020 to now, we have spent over $70 billion on all aspect of hinterland development. We have more to spend from 2024 and 2025; five years of development that will encompass all of Guyana, both the coastline and the hinterland.”

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

Prime Minister Phillips also spoke to the expansion of the ground-breaking Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) devices initiative to Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and the entire Hinterland, highlighting the on-going rollout of high-speed Internet services across Guyana.

Phase One has successfully connected Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), while Phase Two is set to commence in August, beginning with Region Seven, and progressively extending throughout the Hinterland.

The Prime Minister, who travelled to the region for the 25th Annual Upper Mazaruni District Games at the Tunnel Tigers Sports Ground in Kamarang/Warawatta, also highlighted the ruling administration’s commitment to sport development and the Upper Mazaruni District Games.

While commending the organisers for their sustained efforts over the past 25 years, the Prime Minister also emphasised the government’s dedication to improving the sport facility in the area.

He said that in 2022, President Dr. Irfaan Ali committed to developing the ground to regulation size, and thus far, a significant amount of money has been spent on the development of the Kamarang Ground (The Tunnel Tigers Sports Ground), with the installation of lights, featuring underground wiring, the construction of new stands, and rehabilitation works on the ground.

“We have spent some $21 million in bringing the ground to this standard to host these games. That is how serious we are about sport in Guyana,” the prime minister said.

Additionally, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs donated $1.5 million for the overall support of the games, while the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport contributed $1.7 million in trophies and other support.

Prime Minister Phillips pledged the government’s long-term support for the district games.

“You have a long-life commitment from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government to support these district games for the next 25 years,” he said.

The Government of Guyana, through the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, the Honourable Pauline Sukhai, and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson, also presented a GOLDLINK diesel-engine generator to the Toshao of Kako Village, which was facilitated through the Minister of Amerindian Affairs.

The single-phase unit, boasting 27.5 kVA (22 kW) of power at 235V and 60 Hz, is valued at approximately $4 million.