Mega agriculture projects, investments in tourism, other developments
–on the cards for South Rupununi District, President Ali says
–points to opportunities being created in Indigenous communities, residents’ acceleration of footprint in national life
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday, highlighted the growing role of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples in shaping the nation’s development, including in the South Rupununi District, where plans are underway to launch major agricultural initiatives, boost tourism, and expand marketing opportunities as part of a broader effort to strengthen food security and foster sustainable economic growth.
Speaking to residents during an engagement at Aishalton, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), the Head of State noted that the government is already putting in motion a work plan for the next five years that will bring about a wave of development.
“Our Indigenous Peoples are accelerating their footprint in the national life of our country, and that is not by accident, that is because the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic has accelerated our investment in you, in your communities, in your villages, in your families allow you now to accelerate your footprint in the national life of our country, and that is important,” the President said.
He pointed to continuous investment in Region Nine, totaling over $110 billion in the last five years across various sectors.
Key investments include a 1,000 per cent increase in housing expenditure, 5,000 per cent from the Guyana Energy Agency, and over 2,000 per cent in transportation services. Expenditure in the agriculture, education, health and ICT sectors also saw significant increases.
He noted too that these investments will be further strengthened as the government looks to improve the quality of life of all citizens.
FOOD HUB
Particularly for the South Rupununi District, the government will work closely at the communities there to establish a food hub linking Guyana to its partners in neighbouring Brazil.
This, the President said, will be “collective purpose and coordinated approach” leveraging the existing resources to redesign how food production is approached in the region.
Already, the Governments of Guyana and Brazil have been in talks to enhance regional trade.
Key stakeholders from Guyana and the State of Roraima met recently. The Northern Brazilian state has agreed to intensify efforts towards the completion of the second phase of the Linden to Lethem road.
“We’ll be working with our Brazilian partners and Ministry of Agriculture, and before the end of this year, we want to identify with the council, a large area that you will put down these mega agriculture areas to support your food security, region nine food security and Guyana food security,” President Ali said.
Currently, 121 km of all-weather road is being built between Linden and Mabura Hill. It is a joint endeavour of the Guyana Government, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
In addition to the plans for agriculture, the President noted that the government will mandate teams from the Ministry of Tourism and Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) to work closely with the council to establish tourism and marketing strategies to drive investments in the region.