1215 tablets given to Indigenous communities to access GOAL programmes   

…100 villages receive $1M each to develop community grounds

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Friday handed over 1215 tablets to Toshaos to be distributed in their respective villages.
Singh, who made the donation on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali, encouraged Indigenous leaders to ensure that the tablets are used to access the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programmes so that more persons from the hinterland can benefit from the training provided and therefore, participate meaningfully in the transformation of the country that is currently underway.
Held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the NTC Conference, which began on Monday, allowed 200 Toshaos from Indigenous villages across the country to discuss critical issues concerning the development of their villages, with Government officials.

The Government assured of plans to address the identified areas of priority within the upcoming Budget 2024.
In addition to the donation of tablets, President Dr Irfaan Ali had committed to bridging the digital divide by building out the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure within the hinterland community to ensure persons have access to all facilities by the last quarter of 2024.
This, he noted, will ensure persons, most importantly, have the full potential of the GOAL programme at their disposal.

Broader agenda
Singh further explained that the Government’s broader agenda for improving the lives of the country’s hinterland population includes investments to expand the hinterland transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges, investments to fulfil the hinterland electrification including the purchase of 30,000 standalone household solar units, and investments to increase access to hinterland water wells and water supply systems.
He added that efforts are also being made to build educational facilities such as new schools and dormitories, and public healthcare facilities including for the deployment of telemedicine.
During this week-long engagement, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Charles Ramson also handed over 100 cheques equating to $1 million each to 100 Amerindian villages to offset upgrades to their community grounds.
This came after an announcement made by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, on Tuesday.
The upcoming Budget 2024 is expected to see billions of dollars allocated for further development of Indigenous communities following full consultation with the Chairman of the NTC, Derrick John.