

The Amerindian Ministry of Affairs on Friday distributed a staggering $ 105 million to native villages as part of the COVID-19 Relief Fund, for leaders to embark on projects that will improve the livelihoods and create better opportunities for its people.

This is in light of the widespread impact that the new coronavirus disease has had on these villages.
In collaboration with Local Government and the Ministry of Regional Development, the payments were made at the Sophia Exhibition Complex to Mission Santa, Caria Caria, Lower Bonasika, Saxacalli, St. Cuthbert Mission, Swan, Wiakabra, Long Creek, Moraikobai, Orealla, Siparuta and Cashew Island. Other native villages will also receive their funding.
Although all households have already received their cash grants, this additional amount will be used to mitigate the negative economic effects of the coronavirus. Some of the money will be used on any infrastructure development or income generation project that the villages see fit.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai noted that there were no previous coalition Government initiatives to address the challenges facing indigenous communities as a result of the coronavirus. For this, the PPP / C started after taking office after realizing the weaknesses facing these areas.
“Our Government has allocated $ 1.73 billion to ensure that Amerindia leaders, Council and villagers take and use this financial support to put themselves in full preparation to ensure that we not only have a COVID population but many from the contacts and contacts that will ensure our sustainability is maintained, ”noted Sukhai.
The income generation projects will complement past investments made in the districts as well as the annual presidential grant fund allocated. He said the goal is to have sustainable activities to survive the pandemic.
“The income generating or economic project should be harnessed to start creating jobs and increasing income in the community. Village can select projects that generate income and / or develop infrastructure. That is key infrastructure, whether in agriculture, tourism, social infrastructure but relevant to the sustainable location of your village to combat and mitigate the threat of COVID, ”he told village leaders.
Anand Persaud, Minister for Local Government, highlighted that the Government’s intentions are to create opportunities for the youth and their communities to grow.
Before making a decision on which projects will be undertaken, Councils are required to arrange a village meeting to decide which will be more beneficial.
Speaking to this publication, Orealla Toshao, Carl Peneux said the village will plan before coming to a conclusion on how the money will be spent. He said there was a suggestion to combine the grants from Orealla and its satellite village, Siparuta, and invest in the sand resources available in these areas. Both villages would have received $ 10 million each.
“We have a lot of white sand for both communities. We want to expand that and make concrete blocks that we can also sell out of the communities and help build better houses and buildings. We are considering buying equipment as an excavator so that it is going to help us not only in the sand business but also in our agriculture. At the same time, it will also improve the construction and drainage sector, ”noted Peneux.
Moraikabai Toshao, meanwhile, said his Council will seek to implement their project in a transparent way. An area of interest is increased accessibility through connected ways to reach better markets for their goods.
“We are looking at accessibility, linking the highway to Moraikobai. Over the years if we are into agriculture, we will definitely need an access road where we can get the buyer inside the village instead of bringing out the produce. We are also looking at packaging and if we are going into agriculture we will need facilities so that we can get our products marketed and labeled. “
The Minister also outlined the importance of connectivity and within the next two years, the Government is seeking to connect around 200 villages through ICT hubs. (G12)
