Moraikobai create avenue for development, opportunities after Gov’t’s interventions

Through the government’s input and intervention in various projects started by villagers of
Moraikobai in Mahaica Berbice (Region Five), a new path has been created for development and
opportunities especially for the younger population in the village.

Toshao, Mr. Derrick John noted that the village was able to complete many projects with
positive responses from the government. These projects, the Toshao said have enhanced the way
of life for villagers, and have boosted the economy of Moraikobai which is heavily involved in
logging. He pointed out that one major project is the introduction of tourism. Toshao John said
the decision was made to go into eco-tourism, which he believes has great potential for the
community. “We start looking at alternative livelihood and we realised that we cannot depend
too much upon the forest, cutting down the forest, so therefore one of the things the community
decided is that we wanted to go into ecotourism which I think has great potential for the
community…,” he said
The Toshao continued, “We were able to have the support of the government to build an
ecolodge, we have two structures there. One is the main building which has two self-contained
bedrooms and we also have an office building with established internet there.” Toshao John
added that tourism will bring many benefits as farmers will be able to sell local organic produce
to the ecolodge. There will be also be opportunities for young tour guides and jobs for
transporting tourists.
He pointed out that another important project that was completed in the community is the supply
of 24-hours of electricity. He said prior to that, electricity was supplied for four hours each day.
However, as the community developed, there was a need for 24 hours of electricity and as such
with the government’s assistance in 2021, the project was completed. “This Government
responded and they were able to come and do the finalities and that was a big boost for the
community because we were able to set up a battery bank there and now, we’re having 24-hour
current,” John said.
The Toshao noted that another successful project has been the supply of potable water to every
household in the community. John said that with the increase in the population, there was a
demand for water supply to go directly to the homes and to supply farm lands. This issue, he said
was taken to the Government and was promptly addressed by the Junior Housing and Water
Minister, Susan Rodrigues. The Toshao also mentioned that a smart classroom was set up to
assist students as schools were closed due to the pandemic. He said the smart classroom was one
of the reasons for gaining a high pass rate from students who sat the National Grade Six
Assessment (NGSA) this year.
“We know the challenge that this world is being faced with COVID, and a lot of the schools had
to close and therefore, we had to look at new methods of teaching and one of the things that we
thought would be best to help the school is setting up a smart classroom… and today we’re
proud to say due to that we were able to have 100 percent pass rate at the recent National Grade
Six Exams,” Toshao John noted. The Moraikobai Toshao added that the village also benefitted

from the Government’s flood relief grant and distribution of food hampers for those affected by
the country-wide flooding in May-June.