As part of its efforts to elevate the standard of living of residents in hinterland communities, Government continues to provide the necessary funds to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, through presidential grants which have drastically impacted Amerindian communities, and have allowed many villages to implement income generating projects. During a visit to Region Nine to attend the Amerindian Heritage Celebration at St. Ignatius recently, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai handed over presidential grants to several communities of the region to be utilised for various projects. The Presidential Grants programme which was launched in 2007 provides communities with the financial resources necessary to fund projects that are aimed at providing the required services within their communities and help to make them more economically viable. The projects range from expansion of village farms, to eco-lodges, building dams, clearing trails, providing kitchen facilities for school feeding programmes, and cattle rearing. Taushida, which has a population of approximately 290 persons, and is known for being one of the communities which has been successful in executing village projects, received $1M for the construction of a village snackette, and a further $1.5M to assist the community with its self-help programme to upgrade the trail that leads to Toka. Pai Pang, received $500,000 to extend their village shop; Rupanau, $1M to engage in leather craft production, and Rukumoto, $1M to furnish their village shop by putting in a solar powered freezer. Meanwhile, Rewa, received $1M to construct 12 small bridges to improve the trail that leads to their community, while Potarinau, received $1.2M to fence their farm land. Quarrie will be constructing their village centre and completing their cassava processing building to the tune of $1.5M while Maruranau received $500,000 to complete their benab. Minister Sukhai congratulated the villages on their projects and urged them to ensure proper implementation, and that they benefit the residents. The Minister highlighted that the projects are initiated by the villagers, and that the Ministry does not dictate to the villages, but rather, it responds to their requests. “Amerindians have been marginalised by the previous regime, and this Government has been correcting that by putting programmes and policies in place that will aid in your development…the indigenous people have been treated in a way that they do not deserve and we as a Government will ensure that Amerindians take their rightful place in their society as the first people,” Minister Sukhai told the residents.
Posted on: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 21:19:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015