Chinoweng Village gets boat, engine to transport children to school
The “Five Bs” Initiative began some three years ago, and President David Granger has since donated 27 buses and 14 boats to aid the transportation of school children across Guyana.
President David Granger handing over the key to Toshao Roger Ronald of Chinoweng Village
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), these donations were all made possible through contributions from private and business persons, but President Granger said last Sunday that the objective of allowing every child to go to school remains the same.
The Head of State has handed over to the Village of Chinoweng, in Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) a new boat and engine worth $1.3 million.
Giving remarks before the presentation was made to Toshao Roger Ronald, President Granger recalled the road which led to the initiative back in 2015.“Three years ago, when I entered office after a very long campaign, I went into many rivers, and one of the important things I noticed was that many children were not going to school because they didn’t have transportation. And we started in 2015 what we called “Three Bs”,” the president told villagers.
He said the programme has so far acquired 27 buses and 14 boats, which he noted will help children attend school free of charge. He reminded that in communities with roads, children are given bicycles.
Just last week, while celebrating Emancipation with villagers at Number 53 Village on the Corentyne, the Head of State donated another 25 bicycles to children along the Corentyne Coast.
“The most important thing about this boat — and I am reminding Chinoweng — is that children must go to school; children must not be kept away from school. I am proud of this presentation,” the Head of State told Chinoweng residents.
The donation was made possible through Beverly Tapp of B & J Civil Works, in observance of her company’s 25th anniversary. Tapp said, “I decided that we are going to donate a boat (and engine). I just want you to use it safely and care it.” She noted that the business community is “here to support the people”.
The contribution came at a time when the village is participating in the annual Upper Mazaruni District Games in Waramadong.
