Ali announces 30 core homes for St Cuthbert’s Mission

– Internet access for community in near future

By Bisham Mohamed

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali made a commitment to the residents of St Cuthbert’s Mission, about 14 miles off the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, that that ministry would build 30 core homes in that community as part of its continuous developmental works.

The 30 core homes promised would be erected to benefit families in the area as the community grows rapidly.

He also reiterated that a benab, promised to the community at the conclusion of Building Expo 2011, would soon be constructed.

Moreover, he noted that the completed benab would benefit the more than 1600 residents of that community.

The minister also promised that the water system in the community would be improved, since his team is presently working on developmental works in this respect.

In his presentation to the St Cuthbert’s Mission residents on Saturday, September 24, Minister Ali also highlighted that the present administration has been working diligently to enhance the lives of Amerindians in every sphere of Guyana.

He noted that over the past years there has been continuous development, and promised this will continue, as the PPP/C government remains committed and dedicated to the indigenous people’s development.

Speaking at the formal opening of the celebrations, Labour Minister Manzoor Nadir also told the residents that there would be Internet access to the entire community in the near future. He was making reference to the One Laptop Per Family project, an initiative by the government of Guyana to ensure that every man, woman and child is computer literate.

He also challenged the hundreds who were present at the Heritage celebrations to make use of the initiative, since Guyana is expanding technologically.

He also highlighted that, as a people, the indigenous people have to remain committed to developing their country.

He emphasised that, for the past five years, there has been continuous economic growth, led by an admirable leader.

Toshao Ernest Dundas reflected on the contributions made by various Amerindians in the development of the community.

He encouraged residents to carry the culture with them as they grow economically, so that the culture can stay alive.

The toshao said he was happy that Minister Ali had stuck to his promise to construct the benab, and more so, he was elated that the Housing and Water Ministry would be erecting 30 core homes in the community.

He also thanked the ministry for the promise of providing improved potable water and the system to access same for the residents in the community. As he welcomed all the visitors to his village, he encouraged them to celebrate responsibly and wished them a safe trip back to their respective destinations.

West Indies star batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, who was present at the celebration, committed himself to provide cricket gear to the community to further enhance their sporting abilities. The donation of the cricket gear will be made through the Housing and Water Ministry to the youths in the community.

The yearly celebrations have been transformed tremendously over time. People from all walks of life have, for the past years, been participating in the celebrations, and this year is no exception. Thousands of coastlanders have poured into St Cuthbert’s Mission to support the annual festivities.

The St Cuthbert’s Mission Heritage celebration coincided with Amerindian Heritage Month, which is being celebrated under the theme “Our Culture, Our Heritage, Our Life: A fusion of indigenous diversity”.