DPI Newsletter - Rupununi RoundUp Sept 2019

A publication of the Department of Public Information

September 2019

SPECIAL OUTREACH EDITION

Flashback, October 20, 2017, His Excellency, President David Granger greets residents as he arrives for the ceremony to formally name Lethem a town.

RUPUNUNI MOVING FORWARD YVONNE JACOBUS MATERNITY WAITING HOME COMMISSIONED AT ANNAI

$80MILLION MANARI BYPASS OPENED

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

FRUITFUL OUTCOMES FROM GOVT OUTREACH A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 15 – 17, 2019

On February 15, 2019, the Coalition government rolled out a massive ministerial outreach in Region 9, that saw 19 ministers fanning out across 28 villages within a three-day period.

Aishalton, St Ignatius, Lethem, Karasabai, Annai, Sand Creek, Shulinab, Moco Moco, Tiger Pond, Nappi, Massara, Parishara, Aranaputa, Kwata-

mang, Surama, Wowetta, Katoonarib, Sawariwau, Mururanau, Karaudarnau, Quarrie, Rewa, Achiwib, Kaicumbay, Yupukari, Toka, Rupertee and Hiawa , were among the communities visited by the ministers of government and their teams, from Friday February 15 to Sunday February 17.

We take a moment to look back at some of the events and sights, from that outreach.

A smart classroom was commissioned at the Lethem Learning Resource Centre

Residents of St. Ignatius, Quarrie and surrounding communities, were informed how they can tap into the Ministry of Social Protection’s Sustainable Livelihood Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme to realise a variety of small businesses

Several farming tools were handed over to Kaicumbay farmers to aid in expanding their farms so as to make the community more self-sufficient in food production

The ‘Two Brothers Technology Centre,’ the first of its kind in the North Rupununi was officially declared open. Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock made a donation of a desktop computer and printer to the business

The school, which serves as the Tabatinga Annexe to the Arapaima Nursery School - and comfortably houses 80 students and 4 teachers – was commissioned A team including doctors and dentists provided a full package of medical services, free of cost in the various communities

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Basil Williams SC., committed to providing legal aid services for residents of Region 9

Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry commissioned the Parikwaranau Nursery School

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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2ND GOVT OUTREACH ROLLS INTO REGION 9

RUPUNUNI

MOVING FORWARD

On Saturday, September 28, 2019, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo along with 18 ministers and 2 government officials will spread out across 17 villages.

Below is a list of the communities that will be visited and the Ministers that will be in attendance.  DATE & TIME

AREAS TO BE VISITED MINISTERS/GOVT OFFICIALS

September 28

Annai

Hon. Moses Nagamootoo

September 28 @ 10:00am

Apoteri

Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry Hon. Dr. George Norton

September 28 @ 10:00am

Crash Water

Hon. Winston Felix Hon. Keith Scott

September 28 @ 10:00am

Yakarinta

Hon. Annette Ferguson Hon. Mervyn Williams

September 28 @ 10:00am

Fairview

Hon. Sydney Allicock Hon. Haimraj Rajkumar

September 28 @ 10:00am

Katoka

Hon. David Patterson

September 28 @ 10:00am

Semonie

Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe

September 28 @ 10:00am

Kumu

Hon. Raphael Trotman Hon. Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

September 28 @ 10:00am

Potarinau

Hon. Jaipaul Sharma

September 28 @ 10:00am

Parikwarinau

Hon. Dawn Hastings-Williams

September 28 @ 10:00am

Shiriri

Hon. Catherine Hughes

September 28 @ 10:00am

Toka

Hon. Amna Ally

September 28 @ 10:00am

Massara

Hon. Khemraj Ramjattan

September 28 @ 10:00am

Yupukari

Hon. Winston Jordan Director General (DG) Joseph Harmon

September 28 @ 10:00am

Shulinab

Hon. Ronald Bulkan

September 29

Lethem

Hon. Moses Nagamootoo

September 29 @ 10:00am

Parishara

Hon. Amna Ally

The community of Lethem was elevated to township status.

Residents can listen live to what is happening in and around their communities and their country via Radio Lethem and Aishalton and also Radio Paiwamak.

The return of Local Government Elections, on March 18, 2016 allowed for youths such as 19-year-old Maxine Ann Welch, to enter the political arena as the new Deputy Mayor

When the elections were held again on November 12, 2018, residents were again provided the opportunity to exercise their democratic right and elect new local representatives.

The Aranaputa/Upper Burro Burro Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was created by the Coalition Government.

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

RUPUNUNI

MOVING FORWARD

GO-Invest, in collaboration with the Lethem Township, unveiled a billboard at the Guyana/Brazil border, to promote investment and help facilitate investors in the region and Guyana.

The long-overdue construction of the Linden to Lethem road will begin on October 1.

Residents now have swift access to justice, following the official opening of the Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office, Lethem, and other courts in Aishalton, Annai, and Karasabai.

Residents of South Rupununi can now travel with ease in and out of their communities following the repairs of several roads in various communities.

Before the new bypass, drivers coming off the Manari bridge had the hard task of taking a sharp left turn just off the bridge, and this has resulted in countless accidents and fatalities. This is no longer the case.

Residents of Lethem have commended the administration for newly paved roads.

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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Lethem’s airstrip is set to receive a significant boost to its operations with upcoming rehabilitative works. The airport’s runway and taxiway will be enhanced to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Residents of the newly established Tabatinga housing scheme and Lethem are now connected thanks to an $18MILLION state-of-theart bridge over the Tabatinga Creek.

Residents of Nappi are benefitting from a $260MILLION (US$1.3Million) reservoir which is reducing the village and surrounding communities’ vulnerability to drought.

Residents of the newly established Tabatinga housing scheme and Lethem are now connected thanks to an $18MILLION state-of-theart bridge over the Tabatinga Creek.

Residents in the Deep South are also no longer affected by droughts as eight wells have been drilled in Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Karaudarnau, Achiwuib, Awarawaunau, Marunranau, Shea and Baisahidrum.

A ONE-MEGAWATT (1 MW) solar farm valued at $565M is expected to be constructed in Lethem

Lethem now has a newly constructed fire station, approximately 60 by 70 feet that can house fire trucks along with an emergency ambulance.

The $96MILLION Disaster Management Centre will be used to boost the region’s capacity to provide housing for residents displaced during flooding and also includes a warehouse, training facility, a conference room and office space.

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

Construction has commenced on Guyana’s first Hinterland Green Enterprise Development Centre in the North Rupununi. The $20MILLION facility will be equipped to accommodate and train 120 youths in green skills

A historic signing of an agreement between the Protected Areas Commission and the Village Council of Konashen paved the way for the declaration of Guyana’s first Amerindian Protected Area under the National Protected Areas System.

Three 15-seater buses were handed over to communities of Annai and Aishalton under the Five Bs programme.

Close to 500 teachers received laptops to better enhance their students’ educational experience. The distribution was done at three locations in the region.

The Lethem Industrial Estate will soon provide a permanent space for 70 businesses.

The youths in the region continue to benefit from the flagship HEYs programme.

Two dormitories and a teachers’ quarter costing $70M and $7.77M respectively were constructed at the Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre in Annai.

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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RUPUNUNI

MOVING FORWARD

The Coalition government brought the Regional Agriculture Commercial Exhibition (RACE) to the region, thereby creating a platform for farmers, producers, manufacturers and innovators to showcase and promote their businesses, while connecting with local and international investors.

The government with support from the Canadian government worked with the Wowetta Women’s Group to support the rolling out of a farine processing factory in the community.

Under the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Development (SLED) programme of the Ministry of Social Protection, a $6.3M sheep rearing project was rolled out in Hiawa

The 100 percent ‘Rupununi Essence’ organic skin cleanser line was created through a partnership between the Ministry of Social Cohesion, the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) and Indigenous producers from the North Rupununi.

Annai is among several communities that have had their land issues resolved.

The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), surprised Edward DaSilva, a resident of the town of Lethem with the approval letter for his lease after a wait of over two years.

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Indigenous Heritage Month in Pictures

As Guyana marks Indigenous Heritage Month this September, a number of activities have been hosted to give citizens an opportunity to embrace our Indigenous cultures.

The theme for this year’s Indigenous Heritage Month is: “Maintaining our traditional practices while promoting a green economy.”

Here a look at some of the events hosted thus far. 

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019



A Celebration of

Indigenous Heritage Month was ushered in at the Umana Yana with a traditional welcome dance and prayers in Akawaio.

Leading the ceremony was the Jawalla Hallelujah Group who invited Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Sydney Allicock, Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Dr. Barton Scotland and other dignitaries to dance around the ‘benab’ before chanting devotions in the Akawaio language

Amid a rich cultural display, Indigenous Heritage Month 2019 was launched by His Excellency, President David Granger at the Indigenous Village. During the ceremony the president boldly declared that “Hinterland education is being repositioned to help to eliminate inequalities and to ensure that every child goes to school and that no child is left behind.”

For six nights Indigenous people from across Guyana congregated under the Benab in the compound of the Sophia Exhibition Centre to witness the Cultural Extravaganza showcase held at the Heritage Village. From dances to songs to small skits, the showcase pulled out all the stops for this year’s heritage celebrations, with most of the performances being done in the original language of the performers

As the celebration

continued, Guyanese from all walks of life flocked

to the Heritage Village to

sample the mouth-watering pepperpot, and tuma pot,

various grill meats, piwari

and fly among many other Indigenous dishes

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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Everything Indigenous



Nine-year-old Rachel

Davis from Toka Village,

Region 9, Rudi Albert from Paruima Village, Region

7, who specialises in Rain Makers and Wabbani, a company based in

the Makushi Village of

Yupukari, Region 9 were among the key craft

makers who shone at this

year’s Indigenous Heritage village

This year’s Heritage Art Exhibition paid homage to the work of well-known Indigenous artist and archaeologist, George Simon. The show also focuses on the “Six Lokono Artists” whose pioneering work led to a new movement of Indigenous art in Guyana. In the 1980s, Six Indigenous artists banded together to promote, exhibit and market their art.

Led by Simon, the other five – Foster Simon, Oswald Hussein, Roland Taylor, Telford Taylor and Lynus Klenkian -became known for what is today called ‘Lokono art’

River’s View made history on September 10 as the first Upper Demerara-Berbice, Region 10 village to host the National Heritage Village Day activity since it began in 1995. Hundreds of residents travelled from neighbouring Bartica and other parts of the country to enjoy the wide array of food, arts and craft, dance and songs displayed by the residents of River’s View. H.E. President David Granger delivered the feature address noting that the community has the potential to provide a good life for all of its people but that it is through education that the promise of prosperity can become a reality

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

Costing approximately $17Million for infrastructure and furnishing, this waiting home stands near the Annai Health Centre, can house seven mothers at a time.

The Central Housing and Planning Authority aided housing delivery to several deserving families.

Residents of the newly established Tabatinga housing scheme and Lethem are now connected thanks to an $18MILLION state-of-theart bridge over the Tabatinga Creek.

Students in the region continue to receive financial and other support from the government, through a Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs scholarship programme.

Culvert City and Tabatinga are now housing schemes under the Lethem township.

The bleak Tabatinga Sport Complex, in Lethem, was transformed into the ultimate recreational facility.

First Lady, Sandra Granger has been facilitating Information Communication Technology (ICT) and STEM Training Programmes for youths in Lethem.

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) commissioned a commercial office in the Lethem which caters for commercial customers, and serves as a location for query, rectification and payments.

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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RUPUNUNI

MOVING FORWARD

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs in conjunction with the Ministry of Business and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) are assisting several businesses to craft plans that will guide the development of their tourism product.

The Government continues to support Region 9 communities with presidential grants to embark on green sustainable projects.

Toshaos of Yurong Paru and Karasabai are among several communities received the keys to two new all-terrain vehicles donated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

This ambulance provides services to Aishalton and surrounding areas including Awarewaunau, Mururanau, Shea, Kraudanarau, Achiwib, Rupunau, Sand Creek and Shulinab.

More Community Health Workers (CHWs) were trained to deliver improved maternal and child health services in the region.

The Lethem Regional Hospital is now been staffed with four medical specialists; a General Surgeon, an Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist, an Internal Medicine Specialist and a Pediatrician.

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

Rupununi IN THE

Lethem now a township Radio Lethem 95.1 FM on air Purchase of ambulance New studio for Radio Paiwomak Radio Aishalton 95.1FM launched Nappi Reservoir officially handed over to Region ICT Hubs established to provide free internet

Health workers trained

Region Nine Toshaos Conference successfully hosted Two housing schemes added to Lethem township

Shulinab’s Nicholas Fredericks is new NTC Chairman

8 Rupununi wells completed National Day of Villages observed

3 David “G” School Buses

New Lethem Fire Station

Yorungparu - Installation of a water treatment facility

$130M North Rupununi Hinterland Green Centre Rupununi Magisterial District Court Office commissioned Community Development Officers CDOs equipped to better serve Indigenous villages

Wowetta women commissioned farine factory

$50M for the Bina Hill Institute

Small business funding through Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED)

Over $20M in Presidential Grants distributed during the Region Nine Toshaos Conference Lethem’s transformation celebrated at second annual Town Week

Agriculture and Livestock production boosted

Lethem public market tarmac to be completed soon

Upgrade to Lethem maternity waiting home

South Rupununi roads upgraded $20M+ for green sustainable projects 200 homes for remote areas of Region Nine Lethem Industrial Site $36M Upgraded dormitories and teachers’ quarters at Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre in Annai

President David Granger celebrated Indigenous heritage in Shulinab Regional Agriculture Commercial Exhibition (RACE) launched in Lethem, South Rupununi

Lethem road upgrade underway

Improved access to potable water supply

Tools donated to revitalise farming in Region Nine communities

Region Nine host tripartite conference on health care

Upgrade to St. Ignatius electricity network Annai District land issues resolved Nappi residents benefitting from $260M reservoir Water system for Yurong Paru residents International Year of the Indigenous Languages celebrated New GWI Office

IDB-funded state intervention positively impacts hinterland beneficiaries

Upgrade of roads at Aranaputa and St. Ignatius

$1.5M to furnish Amerindian Hostel in Karasabai

Upgrading of electrical system, procurement of generator at the Annai Secondary School complex

Construction of maternity waiting home at Annai

Completion of bridge at Rupunau

Youth skills training provided through YEST, BIT, HEYS Major tourism development at Sand Creek

Rupanau receives land title document

Construction of Regional Administration Annex and living quarters at Lethem

$53M to maintain the stretch of road between Linden to Lethem Construction of Parikwarewanau Nursery School and extension of Katoka and Nappi primary schools

Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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E D I T O R I A L

FREE EDUCATION AND AN EDUCATED NATION – DRIVEN BY PETROLEUM REVENUES

The discovery of oil in commercial quantities in any county brings with it the expected excitement and hopes of new found wealth, and the understanding of the transformation of that society, especially the material improvement of the lives and well- being of the citizens, from the new source of revenue.

But understood within this expected flow of money will be discussions and questions, from both the public and government as to what socio-economic projects must attract the immediate attention of the particular county, in consideration of a plan for improved development. It would seem wise for any government to pursue well thought out socio-development plans that will usher in a transformative process which must essentially ensure qualitative changes that will create a new view of progress from which there should be no retreat.

President David Granger’s recent announcement that the revenues expected from Guyana’s imminent establishment as an oil and gas economy, has been both emphatic and unambiguous, leaving Guyanese in no doubt that free education from the Primary level to University, will be reintroduced; this time attracting petroleum revenues, “apart from what would be devoted to our Sovereign Wealth Fund” .

Education is key to the development of any nation that aspires to full socio-economic development. In fact, reading about the growth of the great industrial nations, it is found that their rise to global power, have been based on an available quality educated work force, that have been able to produce outstanding personalities in the arts, sciences of all categories and varied technologies that have made for sustained growth and development of those countries.

These persons were continuously facilitated and fed by a flow that starts from the early classrooms, to the intermediary stage and on to the tertiary level learning centers.

This explains why these nations have been able to continue to influence international affairs, particularly trade and economics. This fact of quality education and its pivotal importance in the life of every nation was not lost on President David Granger and his coalition government when they took over the reins of government.

It is no coincidence therefore that the education sector has since the inception of the Coalition’s administration, continued to be allocated the largest slice of budgetary allocations – with $33.8B for 2015; $43B for 2017; $49.1B for 2018; and $52.2B for 2019. Attention is drawn to the fact that 2016 was an exception, when only $19.5B had been allotted.

For those of convenient memories, as well as those hazy because of the passage of time, free education from primary to university, or from the ‘cradle to the grave’ became a constitutional entitlement during the administration of the late Forbes Burnham’s administration. It is now a matter of historical fact that Guyana experienced what was to become a revolution and transformation of the public education system, beginning

with education ceasing to become an opportunity for the few, to one that offered equal opportunities through universal education. This heralded the construction of primary and secondary school in all the regions; technical institutes, and multilateral schools that ‘’completely changed the face of the public education system. And this was achieved from primarily public funds.

Therefore, President Granger’s announcement of free education, and the funding of this critical social tool, with oil and gas revenues for creating a 21st century nation, has to be seen as equally groundbreaking and transformative as it is aimed at an ‘’education policy’’ that provides ‘’Guyanese with the knowledge, skills and values to become productive citizens in the economy of the future”.

For President Granger, this means our engineers, being able to effect connectivity to link all of Guyana, while developing the nation’s hydro potential; our geologists developing the bauxite, manganese, diamond and quarrying resources; our botanists, biologists, botanists, and agriculturalists expanding the nation’s agriculture productive capabilities; and improving Information communication Technology, and human learning.

If the above can be taken as the establishing of the human capacity infrastructure that will headline what is definably a visionary “Decade of development” brand for propelling the education renewal of the nation, then the other aspects of the ‘Decade’ are meant to support the above new education frontier holistically.

According to President Granger this will include one primary school in every village, the teaching of science, engineering and mathematics in every school, providing grants for improving school laboratories, and giving the Guyana Youth Corps greater capacity for opportunities to boys and girls from both the hinterland and coastal locales to be trained to re-enter the world of work.

Therefore, this “Decade” is about inclusivity, ensuring first: that every child in every community is given an opportunity at scholastic learning, with no one ‘being left behind’; second: facilitating those young people who will not be successful at the traditional learning curve, another opportunity afforded at learning. Third, with science becoming a constant in all classrooms, it means that Guyana will in time emerge as a nation based on science and technology that will support an oil and gas economy. This is characteristic of becoming a conveyor for supplying the continuously needed skills for national development.

President Granger’s statement sums up the education vision that will remake Guyana: “We are not making fun with education …… there is no better way to spend our petroleum resources than to ensure that Guyana becomes a nation of educated people.’’

This means that our patrimony must be spent on improving the nation’s intellectual capacity and development, with Guyanese being the main beneficiary. For this grand vision of an educated nation, President Granger must be commended. 

Editorial Director

Editor-in-Chief

Imran Khan

Ernestine Leonard

Contributing writers: Synieka Thorne, Felecia Valenzuela, Anara Khan, Alexis Rodney, Isaiah Braithwaite, Delicia Haynes, Neola Damon, Ayana George, Natasha Smith, Nateshia Isaacs, Nikosi Bruce, Shaquille Bourne and Kellon Rover.

Text and Photos also by The Ministries of the Presidency, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Social Cohesion, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Communities.

Photography: Keno George, Jules Gibson, Kawise Wishart, Tejpaul Bridgemohan, Kennyann Bacchus, Anil Seelall, Leon Leung, Karime Peters, Ackeem Thomas, Giovanni Gajie, Gajuan Jordan, Marceano Narine, Mohendra Raj and Ameer Sattaur.

Layout and Design: Xcess Interactive

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

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FRUITFUL OUTCOMES FROM GOVT OUTREACH A LOOK BACK AT FEBRUARY 15 – 17, 2019

A donation of a water pump and hose in Nappi was to go towards assisting farmers to irrigate their farm lands

Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Raphael Trotman pledged to use his finances to provide replacement batteries for Aishalton Secondary School’s solar energy system

A brand-new ATV was donated to the Bashaizon community health office while the entire village of Achawib received farming implements and sport gear Senior Councillor, Suresh Andries, received Rupertee’s Presidential Grant of $800,000 for 2019.

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe committed to bringing to the attention of the relevant authorities the need for an ambulance to service the Annai Cottage Hospital Residents of Maruranau heard about the government’s green economy plan and were encouraged to explore green tourism

Assurance was given to the residents of Katoonarib and Sawariwau that their age-old water infrastructure would be assessed and rehabilitated where necessary to provide improved water service

Aranaputa Block Making facility benefitted from several supplies.

These included a generator, water pump and wheelbarrows

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Rupununi Roundup - September 2019

2019 HERITAGE GAMES CONTINUES TO FOSTER SOCIAL COHESION The three-day annual Heritage Games saw several teams from the hinterland competing in preliminary matches in football, volleyball, cricket, archery and swimming competitions. During the opening ceremony at the Everest Sports ground, Minister Allicock noted that the event has grown over the years and continues to aid in the fostering of social cohesion in the country. Minister Garrido-Lowe, who also serves as the patron for women’s football in Guyana, said during Indigenous Heritage Month, the camaraderie is evident in spite of our cultural differences. The ministers also assured that the government will continue to provide budgetary allocations to ensure the Heritage Sports can be hosted every year.

They encouraged the teams to be competitive and to put their best foot forward. 

Here are a few scenes from the games Images: Marceano Narine