Communities in Regions 1, 8 benefit from Govt’s solar panel initiative

Some hinterland and riverine communities in Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will be ‘bright’ for the Christmas holidays after receiving solar photovoltaic (PV) home systems from the Government over the weekend.
These distribution exercises align with the Government’s commitment to provide 30,000 solar panels to families residing in hinterland and riverine communities.
On Saturday, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal visited Region One to spearhead the distribution of solar PV home systems to residents within the Matarkai sub-district.
A total of 45 panels were distributed to residents in Tassawini, 55 in Eyelash, 35 in Bamboo Landing, 50 in Big

Creek, 375 in Arakaka, 35 in Five Star, and 330 in Oronoque.
In his address to the residents, Minister Croal emphasised that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between hinterland and coastland communities, ensuring equitable access to a reliable electricity supply.
He urged residents to take proper care of the systems for their longevity and maximised usage.
“As a Government, we have a mandate to develop the lives of all our citizens. Every community, every settlement, every village equally sees development taking place,” Minister Croal affirmed.
He spoke about specific development projects earmarked for the communities. At Tassawini, a new school was constructed to accommodate nursery and primary pupils, along with a new trenchers’ quarter.
Residents also received presidential grants for community development projects, and a new water distribution system will be installed to supply potable water.
Arakaka residents will also benefit from an extended electricity distribution network to include more households and a new well will be drilled. The community will also be included in the Hinterland Housing Programme.

Meanwhile, at Big Creek, the residents will also benefit from the construction of its first school and health centre, while representation will be made to upgrade the road at Eyelash.
“Your Government has your community at heart, and we will be advocating for more development in these areas,” Minister Croal assured residents.
The residents also expressed gratitude to the Government for the timely interventions that will allow them to have electricity in time for the Christmas holiday. In total, over 8000 panels are being distributed in Region One.
Over in Region Eight, Itabac and Kanapang residents were also beneficiaries of the Government’s solar panel distribution exercise.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai travelled to these remote communities on Saturday to deliver the solar systems, ensuring that the houses are lit in time for Christmas.
Around 60 households in Itabac received their panels over the weekend while 45 households in Kanapang are expected to benefit.
Each system is designed with a 160-megawatt solar PV panel, a charge controller unit with a lithium-ion battery to power two nine-watt LED lamps, and one 12-watt desk fan.
Each home energy system is equipped with two USB ports for charging portable electronic devices.
The initiative by the PPP/C Administration seeks to address the energy disparity in Indigenous communities and empower them by granting reliable sources of energy.
Addressing residents during the exercise, Minister Sukhai highlighted that households in these areas were expected to benefit from the programme prior, but the initiative was halted by the previous Administration.
“Since we left office, the other Government parked the project…When we came back in office, we were able to reintroduce not only the solar panel project but the ICT and the CSOs (Community Service Officers), among other bigger projects,” she pointed out. Distribution to other communities continued on Sunday and will continue today. Already, Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek, Arasawa, Taruka, and Monkey Mountain among other villages have received their panels.