Electricity, loan scheme among other Orealla/Siparuta developments


Guyana Chronicle
December 19, 2006

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FAR-FLUNG Orealla/Siparuta, along the Corentyne River, in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), will be able to enjoy a better standard of living and generate more income with the availability of electric power, soon.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) said that is because a promise by President Bharrat Jagdeo several months ago will be fulfilled shortly.

The generators for the electricity delivery have arrived in the country and are to be transported to the riverain location, 101 kilometres along the right bank of the Corentyne River where residents contributed toward the connections and poles for the project, Amerindian Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues said.

She made the announcement during a visit there last Friday and told residents of that and other developments when she commissioned a $15.6M boat.

“Orealla will be having electricity, their boat, the credit programme and all of this is happening within a short period of time. I am urging you to cooperate with the Village Council since it is the only way of ensuring the success of the community,” she asserted.

GINA said the vessel m.v. ‘Epira’, named after the first Amerindian village in Region Six, can accommodate 200 passengers and transport large amounts of produce.

This is the third craft built for the community by the government but previous boats were managed by the Regional Administration, GINA said.

The agency said residents to benefit from the electric current were also briefed on the $5M loan scheme established by the government and applications for borrowing are being processed.

Rodrigues said the council was supposed to manage the procedure but because it has a lot of things to do, her ministry has hired someone for the purpose over a one-year period, until the council can assume the responsibility.

She also reported that a local investor plans to establish a resort and guest house in the community but Rodrigues said the government would have to carefully examine the proposal to ensure residents benefit from it.

Rodrigues assured that the government supports the development of tourism there but wants to make sure the community gets what it deserves.

She agreed the resort is a good idea now that the boat could be used for excursions.

Orealla/Siparuta, which has a population of 1,600, has received significant support from the government, GINA said, noting that, last month, the Office of the President donated five computers to Orealla Primary School for promoting Information Technology (IT).

The computers are in the President’s Youth Choice Initiative (PYCI) building in the region where the classes are being conducted, GINA said.