CHAIRMAN of Caria Caria in the Essequibo River, Region Three, Compton Klass, says he is very pleased with the government’s input in his village as, within recent times, he has seem several community-based initiatives rolled out to improve the lives of residents.
He said that among the initiatives were a new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub, a sports bar and an administrative building, all spearheaded by the current administration via the Community Development Council (CDC).
Klass explained that Caria Caria, which is on mainland, is a developing village. It is located in a remote place and river transportation is very expensive to reach the nearest shopping district, Parika.
He is of the view that a general store selling building materials and hardware should be established in the village to reduce the costs for residents.
“The money we spend going to Parika to buy these things can be utilised in the village if we have a store here,” he recently told this publication.
Klass disclosed that the village has about 280 locals, most of whom are related. It is a close-knit community where residents are always willing to assist each other.
He said the village spread is about six miles and it is bordered by two creeks, Caparwarrie on the north and Awarria on the south.
Caria Caria has a primary school and a nursery school, a guest house, a health post, a community centre ground and building, an administrative building, a funeral home, an ICT hub, and a sports bar.
Klass related that he, like other residents, are very pleased with the recent community-based projects.
He pointed out that in addition to the general store, he would like to see the village become a tourist hotspot, offering visitors a unique and nature-centred experience.
Klass added that the main economic activities of residents include small-scale farming and fishing. The young people often seek employment outside of the village.
Recently, residents have benefitted from much-needed drainage and irrigation interventions while lands were being prepared for farming.
Another burning issue that needs to be addressed, he said is reliable, stable telephone signal. Digicel is the only cellphone service they get but one has to be in a specific location. They get a ‘slight’ signal from Buck Hall where the telecommunications company has a cell tower
In an effort to keep the young people in the village, they have established the Community Support Officers (CSO) group which has10 locals, who work in the schools, at the health post and in the village canteen.
