Promised $5M delivered to St. Ignatius to rebuild benab by PM

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, delivering on yet another promise, handed over a $5M GUY cheque to Toshao of St. Ignatius, Wilson Lorentino to commence the reconstruction of the village meeting place – the benab.

The Prime Minister delivered the cheque on Monday, as he along with Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai participated in the regional heritage celebration in St. Ignatius, Region Nine, as part of the observances for Amerindian Heritage Month.

It was revealed that during a recent visit to the Rupununi, President, Irfaan Ali committed to donating the funds to begin the first phase of the benab’s construction.

Toshao Lorentino was quoted as telling the media that the fund is a step in the right direction for the village and it exemplifies the equitable distribution of government resource.

“We the villagers of St. Ignatius really want our benab and i know the money wouldn’t do, but it is a start. So, I would like to thank the government. We will now have a new benab,” the Toshao said.

Further, with the government’s support, Regional Chairman Bryan Allicock assured, “come next year, we will not be sitting under a tent, we will be under our benab.”

President Ali also committed to providing wholesome development in St. Ignatius. Residents are set to benefit from major roads, bridges and revetment work, to the tune of $210M GUY.

The Head of State stressed that contracts have been awarded to complete revetment works at a cost of $130M GUY and another $80M GUY to complete the two bridges and commence construction of the road from St. Ignatius Bridge to Stock Farm.

“That is $210M GUY of investment to make your life better, to make your life easier,” the President told residents.