MORE than $130 million in government investment is helping to transform Bumbury Village in the Mabaruma Sub-District, Region One, with improvements in infrastructure, water access, community facilities and economic opportunities.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek highlighted the scale of the investment on Saturday as residents gathered for the Amerindian Heritage Village 2026 celebrations.
According to the Minister, the funding has been provided through Presidential Grants, capital projects, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and other community infrastructure initiatives, with the investments already delivering tangible benefits to residents.
“These investments may appear to be numbers on paper, but for us, beneficiaries, they represent something far more meaningful,” Browne-Shadeek said, pointing to improved access to water, increased safety at night and more reliable transportation as some of the direct benefits.
Over the past five years, Bumbury has received $8.3 million through Presidential Grants, which has been used to acquire water tanks, tools, furniture and water pumps, as well as to upgrade the village office and install street lighting.
The village is also set to receive a further $1.8 million in Presidential Grant funding this year, which will be used to install additional street lights and construct a welcome sign for the community.
In addition, $19.25 million has been allocated for capital projects, including the construction of a craft centre and sewing centre, while $5 million from an investment fund is supporting the development of information and communications technology (ICT) in the village.
A further $2 million in supplemental funding has been provided for the construction of a shared multi-purpose building.
Through the LCDS, Bumbury has received $15 million since 2023, which has supported housing improvements, home wiring, the acquisition of block-making equipment and the procurement of vehicles.
Browne-Shadeek said the new craft and sewing centres are expected to play an important role in helping residents, particularly women and young people, turn traditional skills into sustainable sources of income.
She encouraged women, youth and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the facilities and use them to develop businesses and create new economic opportunities within the community.
The Minister also placed the investments in Bumbury within the wider context of the Government’s development agenda under President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. She noted that $3 billion has been allocated nationally for housing development and assistance in Hinterland communities, with the programme expected to be rolled out by the end of the year.
Reflecting on almost one year in office as Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Browne-Shadeek said the investments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its manifesto promises to Indigenous communities.
She stressed that economic and infrastructural development can take place alongside the preservation of Indigenous culture and the environment.
“We can move forward without forgetting where we came from,” she said. “We can build new infrastructure while safeguarding our environment, and create economic opportunities while preserving the values that have kept us strong for generations.”
The Minister also urged Bumbury’s Village Council to maintain close engagement with residents and ensure that government resources are managed transparently.
She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working alongside the community as development projects continue.
“Every dollar invested in every village must bring us one step closer to the future we envision for our people,” Browne-Shadeek said.