Govt. procures 112 tractors at $446M for Amerindian villages

Jul 08, 2021 News

– First batch handed over yesterday

Kaieteur News – Government, through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA), has procured a total of 112 tractors at a cost of $446 million. The first batch of 30 tractors was yesterday handed over to the Toshaos of 30 Amerindian villages.

President, Irfaan Ali and Minister, Pauline Sukai with the Toshaos at the handing over ceremony yesterday.

The tractors that were handed over to the Toshaos.

During a simple handing over ceremony at the Hinterland Scholarship Dormitory, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, President, Irfaan Ali, handed over the tractors to the Toshaos who hail from Regions One, Two, Four, Five, Six and Nine.
The tractors were supplied to the government by Rudisa Motor Company Guyana Incorporated.
In delivering his address, the President told the village leaders that the initiative is a realisation of his government’s commitment to hinterland food security as part of efforts to generate economic livelihood for hinterland communities.
He added that this investment was one of the echoing recommendations he had during his many visits to the various communities. “Today we will be handling over 30 tractors out of 112, this is the first batch, it is not only the tractors but it also comes with the hydraulic trailers and it also comes with implements,” he noted. The implements, the President said, are on the way and will support the agriculture sector in the hinterland communities.
Noting that the investment comes at a great cost, the President told the Toshaos yesterday that they should not only maintain the tractors but secure them as well.
It was revealed too that training of personnel will be done at the community level to ensure that maintenance capabilities are readily available. “Shortly you will have to give us representatives who will be given the basic training in caring and servicing and maintaining the equipment which is critical,” the President underscored.
Following the President’s address, Minister of MoAA, Pauline Sukhai, told the Toshaos that government is working assiduously to ensure that Amerindian development is accelerated.
She noted too that the initiative by the President is aimed at “stabilising the livelihood of our people’s food security and to support the various sectors in our village economy, forestry, transportation, mining and of course the transportation of goods and service.”