THE village of St Ignatius is set to witness a reinvigorated spirit of community involvement and cooperation as the newly inaugurated ‘Ariwa Village Benab’ takes centre stage.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was carried out by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, during her recent visit to the region, symbolising a commitment to fostering unity and cultural vibrancy within the community.
The Benab, a cultural infrastructure of great significance, is expected to serve as a hub for community engagement and empowerment. Minister Sukhai, in her address, commended the village for its dedication and collaborative efforts to enhance the quality of life for its residents.
“A benab of this dimension is not a small project but a vital cornerstone for community cohesion,” remarked Minister Sukhai.
She emphasised the role of a benab as the traditional gathering place for villagers and underscored the government’s commitment to engaging with its people at this grassroots level.
The newly commissioned Benab is poised to host a wide array of activities, including training programmes, community meetings, cultural events, and various gatherings. Its multifunctional design reflects its potential to be a catalyst for positive change within the village.
Minister Sukhai also seized the opportunity to rally the villagers, urging them to continue supporting their leaders and actively participate in community development. She stressed that unity and equity were the twin pillars of regional success.
“We must remain united; we must stay willing and committed to community and village development. Once we join hands, we can achieve the impossible,” she posited, highlighting the power of collective action.
The Minister extended a special call to the youth, emphasising the significant role they play in shaping the future of St Ignatius and, by extension, the nation. Their constructive actions, she asserted, would not only benefit their village but contribute to the broader development of Guyana.
Furthermore, Minister Sukhai spoke of the government’s pride in working towards the vision of ‘One Guyana,’ a concept championed by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. This initiative aims to promote inclusivity and recognition of all ethnic groups in the country, ensuring equitable access to resources and benefits derived from national progress.
“Our president is building out a philosophy that establishes a One Guyana where every single ethnic group in our country will be recognized, where all of our people will benefit from the resources and the proceeds that our country earns,” Minister Sukhai declared, underlining the government’s commitment to fostering a more unified and equitable nation.
In addition to the inauguration of the Ariwa Village Benab, St Ignatius, like other indigenous villages, has been reaping significant benefits from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) funds. These funds empower Amerindian leaders to make investments in equipment, infrastructure, and buildings aimed at improving the livelihoods of their people, thereby contributing to sustainable development and prosperity.
The commissioning of the Ariwa Village Benab marks a significant milestone in the journey towards fostering community engagement, unity, and cultural vibrancy in St Ignatius. As the village embraces its new cultural hub, it paves the way for a brighter and more inclusive future, in alignment with the vision of ‘One Guyana.’
