Through the leadership of His. Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, some 27 Amerindian communities in the Moruca sub-district of Region One (Barima-Waini) are now in receipt of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs’ one-off COVID-19 village grant from the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
The grants totaling $225 million were presented by Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin D Croal, who also holds parliamentary responsibility for Region One.
The aim is to provide financial support for hinterland communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through sustainable community projects.
Minister Croal highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the world’s economic structure and the Dr. Irfaan Ali led Administration is implementing mechanism to counter the economic fallouts.
“The entire loss of jobs, loss of opportunity to earn, businesses diminishing, less travel and social ill effects -because it can have an effect on you once you are locked away- has affected many of us across the world and we here in Guyana are no different,” the Minister said.
The grants were distributed in the form of cheques to Toshaos and Senior Councilors at the Santa Rosa Secondary School and holds a six months expiration period. Community leaders will have approximately five months to submit a project to benefit the community for approval from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Upon approval from the Ministry the cheques can be cashed and used to execute the programmes. The grant ranges from $3 million to $15 million.
A double-custody system is in place to ensure accountability and Minister Croal told the community leaders that the projects must be one that benefits the entire community and villagers must be involved in all significant steps in the project.
Minister Croal also took the opportunity to highlight some of the government’s upcoming development plans to enhance their lives including a new concrete road being built from the Santa Rosa Bridge in Kumaka to Kwebanna, more educational opportunities through the Board of Industrial training and University of Guyana scholarships and water expansion services through the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Also present were Regional Chairman, Mr. Brentnol Ashley; Regional Vice-Chairman, Ms. Annansha Peters; Regional Executive officer, Mr. Teka Bissessar; AREO of Moruca, Mr. Basil Cornelius; Santa Rosa Toshao, Ms. Wanita Phillips and Ministry of Amerindian Affairs – Management Development Officer (MDO) with responsibility for Region One, Mr. John Ramsingh.
Villages in receipt of the grant are: Kwebanna, Santa Rosa and Islands, Chinese Landing, Kokerite, Waikarebi, Kariako, Warapoka, Assakata, Waramuri, Haimacabra, 7 Miles Branch Road, Manawarin, Santa Cruz, Mora, Parakese, Huridiah, Kamwatta, Karaburi, Koko, Kumaka, Rincon, Cabora, Wallaba, Morawhanna, Father’s Beach, Arawansa and Unity Grant.
In the new week Minister will return to Region to deliver a further 49 grants to indigenous communities in the Matarkai and Mabaruma sub-districts.
Images: Sydel Thomas, CHPA PR Dept.