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New economic development programme aims to revitalize Linden
Economic Development Programme Manager, Ms. Onika Stellingburg.
Kaieteur News – The Linden Fund USA (LFU) has launched a new economic development programme through its Linden Fund Guyana Office to support economic recovery in Linden. In a press release, LFU noted that, “this essential programme will serve as a catalyst for development in the community, especially as the International Monetary Fund has projected an 8.1 percent growth in Guyana’s economy over 2021.”
Team LFU announced too that it would provide expert leadership in ensuring the community of Linden could capitalize on this growth, securing the development and expansion of businesses, job creation and an increased cash flow around the community.
This programme, it was noted comes on the heels of the announcement of major infrastructural development works in the region led by Government, with support from the Caribbean Development Bank. It was revealed that, “this infrastructural work will oversee the upgrade of the Linden to Mabura Road, estimated at approximately US$190 million.” The upgrade will serve as a catalyst of growth in the community, promoting the increase in the movement of goods and services between the two locations and further afield.
LFU stated that it intends to work to ensure development in Linden provides an environment for local growth in tandem with national growth, especially as Guyana transforms into a major oil producing and exporting nation.
Through its Linden office, LFU will focus efforts on community engagement, small business growth and workforce development. “There will be a concerted effort to leverage the diaspora relations and local partnerships with all stakeholders to support the development and direct investment into businesses and projects in the community,” the released added.
Established in 1999, LFU has an impressive track record of impactful projects including the mobilization of over G$129.2 million in financing and materials for projects focused on health, community development and education. These actions are expected to expand even as the organization sets its sights on partnership and engagement with the multitudinous international oil and gas companies now resident in Guyana; the offices of the Mayor of Linden, Regional Chairman, the Linden Technical Institute and all other stakeholders from the various sectors across the country.
Leading the rollout of this programme and managing community and stakeholder engagement is, Onika Stellingburg, the Economic Development Programme Manager. Ms. Stellingburg has previously served as an Advisor on Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development and Forests at Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. She is an expert climate change negotiator and is skilled in stakeholder engagement, international policy development and multilateral diplomacy. She has substantial experience working with the Government of Guyana mainstreaming sustainable development into multi-year national budgets, ensuring projects and initiatives developed are aligned with national and international plans. Ms. Stellingburg has also previously served with the Caribbean Regional Youth Council, where she worked in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Labour Office and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, to execute an immersive three-day conference focused on decent work and economic growth, mobilizing US$180,000 to oversee the execution of this conference.
The release further stated, “an initial upcoming action of the new economic development programme is expected to be a business diagnosis survey and quarterly economic development forum to connect businesses with investors and other interested partners. These activities will help LFU to identify needs, challenges and areas for growth across Linden.”
The resulting data, it was noted, will then be used to drive project development, partnership pursuits and the investment of resources in the community.
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