–Collin Croal

THE Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED), which was launched almost two years ago, is moving ahead smoothly with its implementation phase, according to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Collin Croal.

Providing an update on the project in various regions during a press conference last Friday, in the presence of Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, at the ministry, Fort Street, Kingston, Croal said that in Region 2, the Tapacuma Women Agriculture Diversification Project is moving smoothly, training has started and as a part of the programme they have received a tractor.
The first phase of the six-year programme is being implemented in Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) and 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).

GREENHOUSES
And commenting on the Canal Polder Green Initiative in Region 3, Croal said that construction of the greenhouse facilities have commenced and two of the three houses are almost complete while construction for the final house is now underway.

Training for this group is expected to commence in the last week of this month.

In Region 4, the project identified is under the Friendship Swine Development.
He disclosed that construction of the swine facility is slated to begin this week and completed in mid-October. The materials for the construction have been procured and training will be provided for livestock farmers through demonstrations in the use of the facility and animal husbandry, etc.
Referring to the Mara Agriculture Enhancement Project in Region 6, the Permanent Secretary said the training workshop for the project was completed earlier this year. Part of the project is the procurement of a mini-excavator and it is currently being taken to site.

Meanwhile, Croal lauded the region for being ahead in the programme, noting that the group has even taken it upon themselves to visit Tapacuma to share their knowledge.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that some other activities planned and implemented by CARILED this year include support workshops and training for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).

According to him, Local Economic Development Officers (LEDOs) have been recruited and the head of this team is a national coordinator who is placed at the ministry but oversees the implementation across the various regions.

He added that the CARILED is focused on community involvement and many areas of the selected regions were visited to discuss the projects.

CARILED is being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), in partnership with the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).

The programme, which focuses on local economic development projects, would eventually be implemented in fourteen Caribbean countries, and aim to partner with 50 local government authorities to support the growth and development of 500 small and medium-enterprises (MSMEs). It is being funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

(By Savia Laikram)