Electricity and revolving fund among other plans for Orealla
- President makes first visit to Orealla
Berbice, GINA, June 25, 2006
As Cabinet entered its second day of its outreach to Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), President Jagdeo lead a team on his initial visit to Orealla/ Siparuta, the lone Amerindian community in the Region, along the Corentyne River.
The visit has left the community with much reward; among these are electricity and a revolving fund for a loan scheme that will begin shortly.
While at the Orealla Primary School, President Jagdeo announced Government’s intention to support the revolving loan fund starting with an initial $5M. Residents will be able to access loans, but the figure is yet to be finalized. However, President Jagdeo emphasised that these loans could only be accessed for commercial or economic activities and not for personal gain.
A pressing concern raised by residents is the need for electricity and President Jagdeo noted that Government will provide generating sets for both Orealla and Siparuta but in turn, residents must be prepared to cater for the electrical connections and poles. Residents agreed to this and within a week, government will go out to tender for the generating sets.
Additionally, President Jagdeo assured residents who were in the past paying for their children’s food while staying at the two dormitories at Skeldon along the Corentyne Coast, that Government will now take over this expense.
“Starting September, we would take care of the meals for the children so that would ease your expenses. You can focus on other areas for your children,” the President said.
The Head of State also committed to providing four computers to the Orealla School and one to the Siparuta School. He said once the electricity supply proves to be reliable then the number of computers would be increased.
Government will also provide 20 implements to assist villagers to make cassareep as well as sport gear for youths in the community. Cassareep made from cassava is proving a successful venture for many Amerindian communities.
A request was made for the extension of the Siparuta Primary School but President Jagdeo told them that government would put it in next year’s budget since Parliament has already been dissolved and government cannot afford it at present.
He mooted the idea of farmers cultivating cashew nuts on a communal basis. Government is willing to assist with seedlings and the land if residents would embark on cultivation. Members of the Orealla/Siparuta Village Council are to travel to Georgetown next week to meet the Head of State to finalise these arrangements.
He also encouraged residents to apply for Cuban scholarships and urged that the Council submit the names and qualifications of eligible persons in the community. Eligible students are required to have passes in five subjects including Mathematics, English and Integrated Science.
Residents requested that Orealla be chosen as the next Amerindian Heritage Village and the President said that if the PPP/C is returned to Office after elections, the option could be examined. Additionally, he committed to allowing the village’s football team to compete in the President’s Cup Football Tournament.
Members of the community’s Loggers’ Association requested a mobile chainsaw and other equipment and the Head of State said government would have to examine the feasibility of this call.
Orealla was granted a logging concession by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) but the village is in default of $2.5M which has accumulated over three years. The village is asking that this amount be waived by government.
However, the President responded that this matter would have to be discussed in consultation with the GFC since government does not want to start a precedence whereby all other villages will want to follow a similar pattern.
A request was made for a cook at the recently commissioned Upper Corentyne Training Institute dormitory. The President committed to providing a television for the students as well as a cook.
Though the President did not visit the adjoining community Siparuta, residents of the area raised the issue of employment for persons who are facing difficulties since the logging areas have been exhausted, as well as difficulties with attempts to diversify their crops. They said production costs are high and villagers are unable to compete with coastlanders.
President Jagdeo promised to ensure that a team from the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) visits the village and assist farmers with acquiring markets, packaging their products and making them more value-added.
The issue of erosion of Orealla’s waterfront was raised and the Head of State stated responded that this is a costly and long-term project that government would examine.
The President’s Youth Choice Initiative Project in the area has been dormant for a while and the village’s new Council will be responsible for restarting the project shortly.
The community requested water supply and the Head of State pointed out that these projects are quite costly and government has so far had bad experiences with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) initiating water projects in hinterland areas and the Company has not been successful in this area. However, Government will provide the community with a pump and additional tanks to provide water for the community’s schools. He urged the village council to implement a project and charge community members household rates.
The President announced that government will be introducing a pilot secondary programme in Orealla from September. However, he noted that students already studying on the Coast and being accommodated in the dormitories there should not be removed to Orealla immediately since the programme being offered will not be as good as the programme on the Coast at the beginning.
He also updated residents on general issues facing the country and constraints facing the administration as it tries to respond to all communities’ demands.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues also accompanied the President.
Village Captain Mc Lean Devair expressed gratitude to the President for government’s provisions of schools in both Orealla and Siparuta, tractors and ploughing machines, a new boat and other assistance.
The boat is a $12M investment by Government and will be delivered to the community within a month to be managed by the community. It is the third boat built for the community by government but previous vessels were managed by the region. Funds raised by the Region for previous vessels will be transferred to the community.
Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues congratulated the community for its efficient management of the tractor previously provided by Government. The community managed the tractor and also raised funds to purchase another tractor.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister also thanked residents for their cooperation during consultations on the new Amerindian Act and noted that many of their concerns are reflected in the legislation.
In addition, she hailed the community’s cooperation in settling their land issues which resulted in the village receiving its land title and extension. She also noted that two students who were educated on the Coast have returned to serve their community by teaching. She also commended them for their loyalty.
Before leaving the community, the Head of State was escorted by villagers to the craft shop where he was presented with tokens of craft. He also visited an agro-processing facility in the village .
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Scenes from President Jagdeo’s visit to Orealla, the lone Amerindian community in Region Six. Today was day two of Government’s outreach visit to the Region.
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