Village leaders from Regions Eight and Nine have welcomed the government’s decision to increase Community Participation Contracts (CPCs) from $5 million to approximately $30 million.
They said the investment will improve transportation, create jobs and strengthen infrastructure in their communities.
Thirty-one village leaders signed contracts on Saturday at the Ministry of Public Works, with approximately $930 million allocated to maintain and upgrade internal roads and bridges.
Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Saturday at the Ministry of Public Works boardroom, Toshao of Monkey Mountain, Alana Singh, said the increased funding will improve connectivity and provide employment opportunities for residents.
“This funding would be used to repair damaged bridges and broken roads, which would lead our families to safer travel,” Toshao Singh stated.
Additionally, she said the heavy-duty machines would benefit her community, bringing income and helping young people get jobs.
Similarly, Toshao of Karisparu Village, Candace Evans, said the increase represents a major step forward for hinterland communities.
“With the increase from $5 million to $30 million, we’ll have a better upgrade in our village with road maintenance. The heavy-duty equipment will help the cluster villages maintain the roads, and this initiative is very beneficial to our communities,” Evans stated.
Also, Campbelltown Toshao Earl Gildharlie said the larger allocation will allow villages to undertake projects that were previously beyond their reach.
“By raising this threshold from $5 million to $30 million, that would give us a huge boost in what we can do as a community. We can improve existing roads, develop new ones and repair bridges that need attention,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Toshao of Chenapau Village Edward McGarrell said the initiative will accelerate development in Region Eight.
“This initiative is something that all the villages were waiting for. With this boost, our region will become more developed because the roads will be properly improved,” he said.
The initiative follows commitments made by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during the 2026 National Toshaos Council Conference, where village leaders identified road and bridge maintenance as a priority.
The projects will be implemented directly by the communities, creating local employment, building technical capacity and ensuring infrastructure investments respond to local needs.
Beyond the contracts, the government will invest an additional $1 billion in heavy-duty equipment in seven clusters in Region Eight. $50 million will be expended under technical training to help residents execute larger road maintenance projects.
A road safety programme, including reflective road and bridge signage, will also be introduced.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, will also be expanded to hinterland communities in Regions One, Seven and Nine.