– Other development projects planned – Pres Ali
A plan to organise Matthews Ridge residents into three economic consortiums covering agriculture, small-scale mining, and forestry is set to move forward in the coming weeks, with financing to be accessed through the Guyana Development Bank.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali outlined the initiative during a one-day outreach to the Matarkai sub-region of Region One (Barima-Waini).
He said it will bring together small farmers into a livestock and poultry consortium, unite 50 persons allocated mining blocks into a small miners’ group, and organise residents into a community forestry association.
Several ministers are expected to follow up with residents within weeks to begin advancing the plans.
The president said the initiative “will allow [government] to determine an area [of] maybe 200 acres, that we can clear and open up for the development of agriculture, the swine [and] poultry [industries].”
Road works, airstrip completion, and a cold storage facility to support the livestock industry are also set to continue in the sub-region, along with a proposed youth-led ecotourism project in which 20 young people would each build a log cabin, financed by the development bank, and jointly own a 20-cabin eco-resort.
Residents used the engagement to raise a range of concerns, including a proposal for a poultry processing facility to reduce the sub-region’s dependence on chicken flown in weekly from Georgetown, a request for a market square, and calls for a child protection officer and welfare officer to be assigned to the community.
Other concerns highlighted included NIS compliance requirements for the development bank’s $3 million loan facility and an unresolved noise nuisance complaint.
President Ali committed to developing a recreational park for children, providing a second school bus, establishing a government service centre, and implementing youth training programmes in Matthews Ridge.
Over the past five years, Matthews Ridge has seen the construction of a new airstrip and upgraded community roads, easing transportation for residents.