Minister urges Annai farmers to begin repairing access road

Weeks after Government signalled its intention not to compensate hinterland residents, who were washed out by floodwaters, Indigenous Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock told Village leaders in Region Nine (Upprt Tskutu-Upper Essequibo) that they should begin repairing the 12-mile long farm road in the Annai sub-District themselves. He added that when Government sees them trying, more assistance would come.

The Minister was at the time in the region to attend the meeting of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) in Bina Hill, Annai. The meeting was in preparation for the upcoming National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference, which will be held from August 21 to 26 at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in Georgetown.
Community leaders, including Toshaos and Senior Councillors, Community Development Officers (CDOs) and District Development Officers (DDO’s) of communities in the South Rupununi, participated in the meeting and highlighted developments within their respective communities while raising issues and challenges.
The 12-mile access road was one of the major concerns of the leaders. The road was destroyed by the recent flooding that the region experienced.
During his address, Allicock explained that only one mile of the road was budgeted for in the 2018 Budget and urged the community to collaborate and employ self-help to repair a few more miles of the road.
“It can be done in phases; all you have to do is use your tractors and pickups and do it as a small community project. Once you start to do that we are going to see that you are trying and help is going to come, this is about partnership,” he said.
In response to the Minister’s suggestion, the residents agreed to organise themselves and to commence repairs so that they could be able to begin restarting their farms.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has expressed interest in providing assistance to Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine – hinterland regions that have recently been affected by flooding. However, in July, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan told the National Assembly that Guyana and neighbouring Brazil have jointly been “looking at the dimensions of the impact of the flooding” on bordering communities in both countries.
Minister Bulkan also explained that Government does not offer compensation during natural disasters, but would render assistance once determination has been made of the level of damage done to houses, livestock and farmlands, after the fact.
Government provided cleaning and food supplies after floodwaters had receded from the affected regions, the Minister explained; and to resuscitate their livelihoods, the Agriculture Ministry has indicated its willingness to assist farmers who have sustained damages and/or losses during the flooding.
Some 40 residents, who were affected by the flooding in Region Nine, were provided food and shelter at an emergency centre set up in Lethem.
However, a source close to the regional administration said that the fact that the Minister asked the residents to repair the road without offering the relevant machinery reeks of disrespect. It was highlighted that the residents, although they agree, do not have the relevant machinery or resources to undertake such a task.
As it relates to community projects, Minister Allicock noted that the NRDDB is the medium through which the leaders can submit project proposals to the Ministry and the regional administration. He urged those present to capitalise on the opportunities being offered to them.