Latest update April 4th, 2025 6:13 AM
Government signs $1.3B LCDS programme for Amerindian development
Minister of Finance, Dr.Ashni Singh; Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, and UNDP Resident Representative, Khadija Musa, yesterday signed a $1.3B agreement that will facilitate Phase II of the Low Carbon Development
Officials pose with President Donald Ramotar in front of one of the recently commissioned ADF projects: A guest house at Santa Mission.
Strategy (LCDS) – Amerindian Development Fund (ADF) Project.
The project is funded under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund and overseen by the Project Management Office in the Office of the President.
According to the Ministry of Finance yesterday, the Project will provide funding to support the socio-economic development of Amerindian communities and villages through the implementation of their Community Development Plans (CDPs).
Approximately 160 communities will benefit over three years.
“The communities will receive funding of up to $5M each for the village’s development of a community-based project. All CDPs are approved by consensus or majority vote at village meetings, governed by Section 32 of the Amerindian Act of 2006,” the Ministry said yesterday.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry said, is providing technical support to the project, including administration of social, fiduciary and environmental safeguards.
The projects in the seven sectors will include farming, agro-processing, aquaculture, poultry and cattle rearing and sustainable forestry.
Regarding village projects, there will be resources available for infrastructure including construction of Village Office; multi-purpose buildings and sewing centre and upgrade of airstrip. Funding will also be made available for water purification plant; furniture; sanitary blocks and crafts.There will also be possibilities for the village shops, museum buildings and investments in transportation.
The monies will also target measures for low impact mining and tourism, including guest houses, nature-based and eco-tourism.
During Phase l of the ADF project, 26 communities received disbursements to implement their respective CDPs, the Finance Ministry said yesterday.
The first phase is near completion with approximately $112M (US$550,000) has been disbursed in tranches to the 26 communities.
“Community and village members have been trained in business development, agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and apiculture.”
A few examples of CDPs implemented in Phase l, include the village of Santa Aratack, which used the funds to build a guest house.
The village of Moraikobai also completed rehabilitation works to their Multi-Purpose Centre and have acquired sewing machines, computers, a printer, a stove, a freezer and kitchen utensils to equip the facility.
“There were several villages that focused on agriculture in Phase l, including Kurukabaru where funding went to cattle rearing—construction of a ranch house and corral has been completed and a horse, cattle and medications have been purchased. In Rupertee Village, five acres of cassava has been planted and a processing facility has been completed.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The reciprocal tariffs
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has once again proven his talent for making the indefensible... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
