By Leroy Smith
The Government of Japan and the Village Council of Waramadong on Wednesday signed an agreement for the release of a grant of just over US$69,000 for the construction of a Skills Training Centre in the Region Seven village.
The Government of Japan through its Grassroots Human Security Project signed the four-year grant with the community at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier today.
The US$69,739 would see the construction of a modernised and state of art facility in the community.
The Waramadong Indigenous Youth Skills Development Centre is expected to benefit are also expected to benefit from the facility over the next four years. Chairman of the Waramadong Village Council spoke of the benefits to his community and his people.
Chairman of the Waramadong Village Council expressed satisfaction that “a facility aimed at grass root people has come to the village.”
The centre would benefit the children from both Secondary and Primary school in the sub-region and according to Henry; his people are cognisant that government cannot provide all the resources it wishes to for every community across the country.
Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock was represented at the event by his special advisor Marvin Williams.
He said commended the development that is coming to the community of Waramadong even as he made mention of tremendous work that was also done in the village by Former Minister of Education Dr. Desiree Fox in whose name a school in the community was also renamed.
He described the initiative as one that would indeed left the capacities of those living in Waramadong and the sub-regions Even as the presence of a physical infrastructure would send a strong signal that the community and the Upper Mazaruni Indigenous Communities are ready for development.
Japan Ambassador to Guyana, Mitsuhiko Okada reminded that the Grassroots project has been in existence for some years now and provides support to the infrastructure, management guidance, culture promotion, Indigenous Affairs, Social Program and the implementation of various security policies in indigenous communities.
The project would see the targeted communities benefiting from skills such as boat building, outboard engine repairs, forestry, artistry, carpentry and wood-working among others.
The grant would also cover the furnishing of the facility.
