Funds approved for education campaign in border communities

Additional funds for a robust education campaign in Guyana’s border communities were approved on Monday night when Parliamentarians scrutinised the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The $9.4 billion sum allocated to this ministry was scrutinised during a sitting of the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.

Subject Minister Hugh Todd faced numerous questions by Opposition Parliamentarian and with shadow responsibility for the sector, Amanaz Walton- Desir. She quizzed him about the allocation of funds for an education campaign, a venture she noted she had supported for quite some time.

Todd said the campaign will be rolled out in most administrative regions this year.

“We plan to cover Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine, priority… We will also do some work on the coastland itself, particularly Region Four,” Todd responded.

The education plan is meant to educate residents in the regions and communities that share a border with Venezuela.

The border controversy case is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Guyana hopes for a full, final and binding judgement that the border between the two states was settled after the 1899 Arbitral Award and a reaffirmation that the Essequibo region belongs to Guyana.

President Dr Irfaan Ali previously urged Guyanese to rely on official releases from the government and state entities regarding any information concerning the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

Training for diplomats is also catered for in the ministry’s budget. The ministry’s allocation was approved after scrutiny on Monday night.