The Buxton-Friendship Community Development Council (CDC), formed in the wake of the post-elections unrest, is moving to stimulate economic activity in the village to create jobs.
Stabroek News
August 15, 2001
In a programme of activities for the next year, the CDC plans to revitalise agricultural farming, encourage cottage industries utilising available skills and products, and undertake skills training, including seminars and workshops on accounting, marketing, banking, and business management, a press release from the Council said.
"Conscious of the need to encourage an atmosphere of optimism and confidence in Buxton-Friendship after years of neglect and in the wake of the post-election uprising, (the CDC) has moved to organise the village to meet this challenge," the release stated.
Other short-term objectives of the CDC include encouraging commercial activities in the village through community support of the market vendors and other commercial enterprises, and by helping farmers to increase production; seeking grants to start small and medium size economic projects from relevant agencies, local entrepreneurs, and overseas Guyanese; as well as urging local investors to pursue business ventures in the village.
In addition, the CDC plans to establish a computer centre in the village in order to promote computer literacy among the young people, and will be seeking assistance from interested individuals and agencies to obtain computers and repair a building earmarked for the facility.
The CDC is aiming to "create a stable environment conducive to economic development by advocating respect for law, order and justice." Towards this end, the Council stated, "strategies will be pursued to arrest drug abuse, crime and violence, and racial intolerance."
The newly-formed Council also proposes to encourage a "culture of self-reliance and self-emancipation" by working with and through other organisations and the church in the village on a "campaign of self-respect, self-love, and community service."
According to the release, the CDC has over the last four months spearheaded the revitalisation of the Buxton market as a centre of commerce in the village while instilling a new sense of purpose, especially among farmers and vendors, despite a few initial hiccups.
Acknowledging that survival of the market is dependent on increased production in the agricultural sector, the CDC disclosed that it is utilising the $15 million secured from the Committee for Depressed Communities to repair culverts, clear neglected farmlands aback of the village and upgrade the drainage and irrigation systems.
The Council has also succeeded in obtaining a $1.5 million grant from CIDA (the Canadian International Development Agency) of farm equipment which is being made available to farmers.
And the CDC is now campaigning for more villages to return to farming on a large scale. It said that it has started working with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to appeal to villagers to utilise lands being made available. To date the response has been favourable, the release added.
Meanwhile, the CDC which currently comprises individuals is moving to constitute itself into an umbrella body to include all organisations in the village with the aim of serving as a facilitator for social and economic development in the village.