Residents in Masakenari to expect extensive development

At a community meeting held in the Amerindian Village of Masakenari, in the deep South of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Permanent Secretary of the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, Alfred King, revealed the community is about to experience major developments in 2019.
According to King, plans are in place to improve the trail connecting Parabara and Kassaikaytu, as well as to the education and health services within the area.
The Permanent Secretary stated that the upgraded trail will be of great benefit since it would make transporting supplies and travelling easier for residents. Additionally, King explained finance was provided to the Hinterland Entrepreneurial Youths (HEYS) programme in order to continue and expand.
“We will not stop there, we will continue to work through the presidential grants to how best we can improve your livelihood. In the area of governance, we are working with your Toshao on a village improvement plan to also improve your education and health,” King said, according to Department of Public Information (DPI).
Ministerial Advisor Mervyn Williams along with Deputy Commissioner, Guyana Protected Areas Commission, Denise Fraser who were also present at the meeting, grasped the opportunity to applaud the community for being the first to become a protected area.
“The trend of waiting to receive instructions is being reversed and this village has led the pace. Therefore, this land is yours and will remain yours, no one will take it from you.”
It was revealed that the sum of $20 million was provided to extend the Amerindian Hostel at Princes Street, Georgetown to accommodate approximately 200 people who come from the hinterland with medical issues, as well as plans to construct a dormitory facility for the hinterland students who are pursuing tertiary education.