GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC-The government here says it has disbursed 1.3 billion Guyana dollars (US$1= GUY$208.95) in carbon credit funds for development and prosperity in indigenous villages.
This disbursement is part of the 4.7 billion Guyana dollars received from Hess Corporation for selling 30 percent of Guyana’s forest.
During a one-day conference on Friday, organized to provide Amerindian leaders with an opportunity to raise their concerns at the regional level, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai said several villages have already drawn down on the monies given to them for developmental purposes.
Of the 242 Amerindian villages in Guyana, 165 have submitted Village Sustainability Plans (VSPs), and Sukhai says she looks forward to seeing the outcomes of those plans.
“When I visit villages, I expect to see a hub of activities, new and spanking infrastructure being worked on, engaging communities and towns.
“I would like to see women projects on the rise, I would like to see projects relating to young people, youth and sports development, I would like to see that you are paying attention to the elderly,” the minister stated.
Suhkai urged village leaders to ensure that projects are completed. Financial reports were submitted to the minister promptly to secure more financial aid from sources such as the Presidential Grant Programme, the $10 million COVID-19 investment fund, the $3 billion supplementary fund for Amerindian development that was earmarked at the last National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC) and the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF).
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