PPP/C Govt committed to development of Indigenous communities – Ali

– donates $1.5M to Kako district games; winning team to get shade house

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday recommitted his Government to the cause of developing Indigenous communities at the Upper Mazaruni 23rd Annual District Games in Kako, Upper Mazaruni.

In delivering the keynote address, the President committed to working with Indigenous communities in areas ranging from agriculture to sport. He also donated $1.5 million to the event and announced that the Government would work with the winning community to develop a shade house to advance its food security agenda.
“In addition to this, the President also announced that the Government is working on developing a “One Guyana” football tournament that will see participants from every administrative region,” a statement from the Office of the President said.
The 12 participating teams are from Jawalla (defending champions); Philippi; Imbaimadai; Chinoweing; Wax Creek; Paruima; Waramadong; Quebanang; Kaikan; Arau; Kamarang and Kako.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai; National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde and other officials were at the event.

The Guyana Government has been on an aggressive campaign to dismantle regional barriers to agricultural trade and to increase food production. President Ali has said that in the next four years, with the assistance of more diversified crops, Guyana would aim to reduce Caricom’s food import bill by 25 per cent.
Months after assuming office, President Ali had charged the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry to assess and address the hurdles related to exporting food and agricultural products to markets within the Region.

Strengthening food security
Last year, some 112 tractors were procured for distribution in Indigenous communities so that residents could independently maintain their food security. The machinery could also be used in other sectors to push economic growth.
At the time, Amerindian Affairs Minister Sukhai had outlined some of the projects on stream for villages, especially those that have been gravely impacted by the coronavirus. She had explained that these initiatives were aimed at strengthening the food security in Amerindian villages with new investments in the agriculture sector.

“The food security of the Amerindian communities will be supported and sustained during the long challenge that we are facing with respect to the pandemic. In so doing, we have invested in the procurement of 112 tractors, which will go to the Amerindian villages that do not have tractors. These machineries will be used in the agriculture sector, forestry sector, and the transport sector; enhancing and embracing the development of these sectors in the various hinterland and Amerindian communities,” Sukhai had told a group of Toshaos.
The Minister had also indicated that upon assuming office in 2020, resources were immediately deployed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to North Pakaraimas and other areas, owing to shortages. Since then, several other regions have benefited.