DETERMINED to ensure that the hinterland regions benefit from the massive developments in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and other sectors, the Regional Chairman of Region One, Brentol Ashley, has said that his region is grateful to President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his government for delivering on their continuous commitments to the Indigenous people.

The Regional Chairman in a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle said that significant progress has been made in terms of road infrastructure throughout the region and in each of the three sub-regions of Moruca, Matakai, and Mabaruma.

While highlighting that there are “major” ongoing concrete works that are being done on the Hosororo road, he shared that they are currently working on the construction of a modern wharf complex along Independence Road, which will consist of a passenger terminal and a cafeteria, among other modern facilities.

“The developments that are happening in Region One and the sub-regions are tremendous, compared to where we were before 2020. The evidence is there in the work that this government has delivered on.

“These roads are not only for the beautification of the communities, but they are responsible for children getting to schools in better conditions during the rainy seasons, people getting to work and running their errands in a safer and more timely manner, and encouraging visitors to come and visit our region, which will boost tourism,” Ashley explained.

Regarding the advancement of the educational system in the region, the Regional Chairman said that while the government has invested in every school through the enhancement of the structures or via the breakfast programme, one of the main initiatives for 2024 is the construction of the Hosororo Secondary School, which is set to be completed by the end of the year, with consideration being given to the weather.

Upon completion of the school, Ashley said that it is expected to house approximately 1,000 students.

He also shared that the new state-of-the-art Northwest Secondary School is set to be commission on October 14.

Furthermore, Ashley explained that the government’s investment in the health infrastructure allows for people to seek proper medical attention at their respective health facilities instead of travelling to Georgetown.

He also emphasised that while they are continuously working on bettering the facilities and the services provided, the government has also made an impactful move by introducing the telemedicine services.

According to him, this allows persons in the remote areas to have access to the medical professional services depending on the patient’s complaints, diagnosis, and treatment.

Additionally, the Regional Chairman said that the agriculture sector is “booming” in the region before mentioning the just commissioned processing facility at White Water as well as the packaging facility in Kumaka.

Ashley told this publication that while they are currently working with farmers who are cultivating ginger, turmeric, and other spices, they are also distributing planting materials such as eddoes, plantains, banana suckers, cassava sticks from Brazil, as well as the Brazilian Green Dwarf coconuts.

Ashley said: “We are going to have farmers getting into the breadfruit cultivation, with over 500 plants being distributed. We are also looking at the cultivation of onions at White Water and the coffee cultivation that President Ali spoke of recently, among many other projects that are being undertaken by agriculture in the region.

Across the region, we are seeing tremendous transformation and developmental projects being undertaken, and heading into 2025, we are very optimistic that there will be much more being added to what is already being done across the region.”

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

In his remarks on the economic benefits for the people in the hinterland, Ashley explained that the opportunities given through government initiatives have enabled residents to provide a better life for themselves and their families.

According to him, persons being employed through the respective projects also allow people to work and spend more time at home and with their families.

The Regional Chairman also explained that while he is pleased that the indigenous communities are also benefitting from the carbon credit disbursement, which allows them to independently create their own economic activities, he is also happy to see the number of youth and women who are capitalising on the opportunities provided to them right within their regions and communities.