White Water Primary School to benefit from $28M extension

reach riverine communities along the Mazaruni River, including Paruima, Waramadong, Kako, Jawalla, Phillipai, and Imbaimadai, among others, benefitting thousands of students and residents alike.

In Region Nine, the radio station is also transmitting in central Lethem and nearby communities such as Nappi, Moco Moco, Manari, and St. Ignatius among others; Annai and Karasabai in the North Rupununi and Aishalton in the deep South Rupununi are also benefitting.

Only recently, 12 teachers from schools across the coast graduated from the Post Graduate Diploma in Distance Education offered by the Indira Ghandi Open University (IGNOU) through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).

The one-year course saw the educators being trained in key components of distance education delivery such as television, radio, and smart classrooms.

Four communities in Region One receive vehicles, agri. equipment

Four communities in the Matarkai sub-district, Region One are now able to expand their agriculture production and beautification project, with the distribution of tractors, trailers, ploughs, and harrows.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal handed over the vehicles and equipment to the chairpersons of the Community Development Councils of One Mile, Citrus Grove, Mainab, and Tassiwini.

The small ceremony was held at the Regional Democratic Council’s office in Port Kaituma on June 6, 2023.

PM Phillips stressed that the government’s strategic focus is the protection of the environment, food, and energy security.

He said the administration will work with farmers to cultivate their produce on a large scale to be shipped to Georgetown as well as the wider Caribbean region. “With regards to food security, the Ministry of Agriculture will be coming with their extension officers to visit every community to ensure that you get back into agriculture in a big way. Region One is a primary agriculture region…Everybody must benefit from the prosperity that we’re talking about in Guyana, where we are utilising the revenue from oil and gas to diversify the economy of Guyana,” PM

Students of White Water Primary School, Mabaruma, Region One are set to benefit from an improved learning environment, as extension works to the tune of $28 million will be executed at the facility.

The construction and maintenance of educational facilities remain high on the government’s agenda, to provide enhanced access to quality education at every level.

In February, the National Assembly approved some $94.4 billion for the educa- tion sector in budget 2023.

As part of the capital programme, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Barima-Waini is inviting qualified persons to submit bids for the extension of the school in accordance with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s (NPTAB) regulation.

Additionally, the electrical grid at Barabina will be renovated and expanded at a cost of over $20.8 million. The expansion will help to improve the electricity sup- ply to residents.

Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures as specified in the Procurement Act 2003. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mabaruma Administration Office. Bids must be addressed to the Chairman, NPTAB, Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown no later than 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 27.

Production trial for black pepper, cinnamon and mint begins in Aroaima Savannah

Atrial for the production of black pepper, cinnamon, and mint has begun in the Aroaima Savannah, Region Ten.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) met with farmers at the Kokerite Bush Concession recently to discuss expanding the cultivation of spices.

Farmers also received several agri tools to aid in land preparation for the new herbs and spices.

The trial will help in assessing the growth of the plants so that improved strategies can be implemented to increase yields.

It is expected that agriculture production in Region Ten would increase and additional income garnered for farmers, owing to the expanded production and reduction in the importation of spices.

Meanwhile, 1,000 pounds of turmeric was also cultivated, following a donation by

NAREI.

Shortly, a quantity of ginger will be delivered to the farmers for cultivation. According to NAREI, its staff will conduct follow-up visits to the area, to provide technical support and advice to the farmers.

The cultivation of additional agricultural products in Guyana is part of the government’s commitment to significantly contributing to the 25 per cent by 2025 regional initiative.

Phillips stressed.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal underlined the importance of developing agriculture in communities, as part of the administration’s food security agenda. He stressed the importance of setting aside resources to ensure continuous maintenance of the equipment. “For the communities that are going to be receiving these expensive equipment, it is expected that you put a management system in place so that they can be operationalised, as well as have a structured management when they will be utilised,” Minister Croal stated.

The government has delivered over 200 tractors across hinterland villages to date.