…community to get aquaculture cages to grow fish
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday outlined a series of interventions to assist the village of Itabac and other satellite communities in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in a number of areas, including agriculture.
Addressing a community meeting in that Region Eight village, the Head of State took note of the current dry weather conditions in Itabac and offered relief assistance.
“You have 69 households,[and] I want to send 69 black tanks, (one) for each household. But I not only want to send 69 black tanks, I want to ensure that each of you can convert a piece of your roof into zinc sheets, so that you can harvest the rainwater. So, I’m going to send 15 zinc sheets for each family. Each household will get the black tank and zinc sheets…,” he explained.
The President went on to announce another important intervention, this time in relation to agricultural activities in the community. He informed the residents that Government, through the Agriculture Ministry, would introduce aquaculture cages to expand fishing in the community.
“We have the aquaculture cages that you can use to grow the fish in the cage. We have it in Mainstay, in Kapoey, and (in) many other hinterland communities. We’re gonna send two of those cages for you here, so you can use it to grow your fish and aquaculture here,” he related in response to a request made by a resident.
In fact, during the engagement with those gathered at the meeting, President Ali addressed a number of issues raised, including a request for the upgrading of community roads. He said that, within two weeks, a bulldozer and grader would be in the villages to grade and maintain the roads.
The Head of State also indicated that he has asked the Regional Engineer to come up with an estimate to extend the Itabac health post, which the community has outgrown. He added that the battery system would also be extended to store more solar power for the health facility, and further, he committed to providing a solar fridge to store vaccines before the end of this year.
The President also announced that a sanitary block, as requested, would be constructed for the community.
Instructions were also given for the Region Eight Administration to immediately commence repairing the community’s school, which was built in 2019 under the previous Coalition Government and now has cracked walls and damaged gutters.
In addition to promising musical and sporting equipment to Itabac youths, the Guyanese Leader committed to procuring a vehicle to transport children in one of the satellite villages to school. This will be done in the 2025 national budget.
Similarly, the President asked that an estimate be done for construction of a heavy-duty bridge at Kanapang next year. Another issue raised by a representative of the Kanapang Village Council was the need for Government’s intervention to engage Brazilian authorities on the free movement of citizens along the borders between the two countries.
“Please President, ensure that your government assist us with the monitoring of the international boundary in terms of bilateral negotiation. Please let us know what’s going on with our neighbouring [country], because that’s where we’re being [restrained with movement],” the village council representative pleaded.
In response, President Ali indicated that Government would engage the Brazilian authorities on this matter.
“We’re also gonna send the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to talk to the Brazilian authorities and talk to you in the village to see how we can facilitate better cooperation over the border and along the border,” he stated.
The Head of State also committed to having the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) send in a technical team to train and support Kanapang in mining activities, as requested. He also indicated that a Border Police Unit would be established early next year, and Rural Constables (RCs) in those border communities would be incorporated into that unit so that they can benefit from receipt of a stipend.
President Ali also told the Itabac community that Government would work with the Regional Administration to source materials for the rehabilitation of the local airstrip, which he said would be done by the village.
“I want the jobs to come right here. I want you guys to work on building it, and we provide the materials and technical support. So, we’re gonna do the airstrip – concrete it, but with your support,” he stated.
Similarly, the Guyanese Leader informed Orinduik residents that the GDF would soon move to upgrade the airstrip there into a fully concrete airstrip, and efforts are also being made to get investors to build out a guest house to improve tourism in that community, which houses a magnificent waterfall.
