Farmers’ landing, wharf facilities for all river villages by year-end – Pres. Ali

President Irfaan Ali has pledged that every river village in Region One will have a new farmers’ landing and wharf facility as part of a wider plan to boost livelihoods.

The project is set to begin before the end of this year and will be catered for in the next budget.

“We have issued instructions that this year and in the next budget, we will be building farmers’ landing and wharf facilities in every single one of the communities on the river,” President Ali announced on Wednesday while addressing residents at Waramuni, Region One.

As part of a plan to create jobs and expand opportunities in hinterland communities, President Ali said residents will also be asked to submit the names of young people with basic qualifications to be trained as nurses and soldiers, guaranteeing them jobs upon completion.

“We want you to give us the names of all the children with the basic qualification to be nurses.

“You give us the names, we will take them, train them, house them, give them a stipend, and we will guarantee them a job as a nurse,” the President said.

This nursing programme is scheduled to begin before September. A similar recruitment initiative will support youths who want to join the military, he said.

“Those who have a sound secondary education and want to become soldiers, give us their names and we will put them in the system,” President Ali said.

With more than 600 households across the targeted villages, President Ali further said the government will provide financial and technical support to each one. This includes the development of a cassava processing facility, with investments in tools and equipment to expand production.

“So, we are investing with you..in the tool and equipment to expand production… but more importantly, we don’t want you to go and sell, we will get the [Guyana] Marketing Corporation to come to that facility, take your product and pay you at a stable market price,” the President said.

He also addressed the issue of crab meat imports, noting that despite strong local demand, supermarkets are importing crab from abroad. To address this, the government is engaging with expertise from Indonesia.

“We are already talking with a team from Indonesia to come here and work with the farmers to do cage crab farming.

“So, we don’t have to wait for season alone, we can do it all year long,” President Ali said.

The initiative is expected to raise local crab production, ensure a steady supply and create new employment opportunities.