Equipment to boost agri development donated to Barima- Koriabo community

Colin Croal handing over the keys to Barima Koriabo Toshao, Gilroy Roberts in the presence of the village councillors and PS, Andre Ally

Barima -Koriabo a village located in the Barima-Waini Region (Region One), received a new
tractor-trailer valued at $4.7M, to stimulate agricultural development in the community.
The tractor-trailer was handed over to Toshao, Gilroy Roberts by Housing and Water Minister,
Colin Croal, during a recent two-day outreach to the region. He was accompanied by Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry, Andre Ally. Croal pointed out that the initiative forms part of the
government’s support to Amerindian communities to boost local village economies.
The minister during the handing over ceremony, appealed to the village council to implement a
system to manage the vehicle and ensure it is used for its intended purpose. “We don’t just drive
and use and when we (are) ready to change the oil there is no resources available and it’s down
for a while, and we don’t get it fixed or serviced. So, you have a responsibility,” he warned.
Minister Croal reminded residents that government is investing billions of dollars to foster
economic development in hinterland communities. The minister said villages, therefore have a
responsibility to ensure proper management and accountability of the resources. “This is part of
what we do as a government…We don’t implement programmes for a selected few or just for a
segment of the village, when we implement programmes, it is done in a strategic way that all
benefits equally,” Croal declared.
He told the residents that the tractor-trailer was handed over on behalf of the Amerindian Affairs
Ministry under its Amerindian development fund programme. The community has also
benefitted from a trained and licensed tractor operator through the recently reinstated
Community Support Officer (CSO) programme.
He revealed that the government has procured 112 tractors to the tune of $446M for hinterland
communities across the country. The tractors, he said will be used specifically for agricultural
purposes, as well as tourism, in cases of emergencies, and to support village infrastructure.