Tag: region 7

Easiest and safest crossings with bridges to be built at Kurupukari and Puruni

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Residents of Region Seven are set to benefit over the next five years, with plans to construct major bridges at Kurupukari and Puruni, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said on Saturday.

Speaking at a PPP/C rally in Bartica, Ali said the bridges will “cut down travel cost” and make the region more accessible.

Currently, vehicles crossing at Puruni and Kurupukari are ferried on a large barge pulled by a boat, an outdated process. Ali noted that the country is already witnessing the construction of the Demerara River Crossing, a bridge he said will revolutionise travel between Regions Three and Four.

The president also announced the creation of a special development fund “to ensure you have access to capital and your interest rate will go down.”

He said progress in Bartica and Region Seven over the past five years will continue, declaring that the region will keep going up.

Credit: Flickr

Dagg Point uses LCDS grant to improve community transportation

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

Dagg Point Village in Region Seven has invested its 2024 Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) funds into a 20-seater, 200-horsepower boat to improve transportation and create new income streams for the community.
The vessel is now providing much-needed support for public transport along the Bartica–Parika route and easing travel between riverine communities within Region Seven.
Resident Molly Thomas said the boat has already expanded access to several nearby villages.
“Most likely we will visit places like Batavia, Cartabo, Karrau, Rivers View and all the other communities that we’ve never been visiting before. I think this is the right time and I think that this boat, not only will it benefit the young people, but the elderly too,” she shared.
The boat is operated by the Dagg Point Village Council and is available for both scheduled trips and private hire, including charters, cargo delivery, and emergency use.
Jean Oselmo, another resident, emphasised the potential for long-term development.
“This boat will benefit the residents of Dagg Point in terms of revenues. At least it will boost the community’s interest in revenue and the development of Dagg Point.”
According to resident Shellan John, the boat has brought real relief after repeated calls from the community.
“It come with so much of relief because we use the boat for public transportation from Parika to Bartica, even to other communities. Especially when it comes to heritage games and other stuff, it will ease us a lot of expense.”
By prioritising transportation through its LCDS allocation, Dagg Point is taking practical steps to connect with surrounding communities, strengthen its economy, and improve the daily lives of its residents.

Workforce-ready education system strengthened with $360M TVET centre in Bartica

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Ministry of Education has commissioned a new state-of-the-art Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) facility at Bartica Secondary School in Region Seven, as part of its national strategy to modernise and expand practical skills training.

The $360 million Practical Instruction Department (PID) marks the sixth facility built under the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP), a joint initiative between the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The project aims to strengthen technical education and improve employment outcomes, particularly for young people.

Constructed by KP Thomas and Sons and supervised by CEMCO Engineering, the new facility cost $273 million to build and an additional $87 million was spent on equipment and tools. The GSDEP project is financed through a US$14.04 million partnership comprising a US$11.7 million CDB loan, a US$552,000 grant, and US$1.79 million in counterpart funding from the Government of Guyana.

The Bartica PID is a purpose-built training centre featuring workshops and learning spaces for a wide range of technical disciplines. Facilities include a commercial kitchen for food preparation training, a motor vehicle and small engine repair workshop equipped with hydraulic lifts and digital diagnostic tools, and fully equipped spaces for welding, furniture making, masonry, and plumbing.

The site also includes a rehabilitated smart classroom outfitted with computers, a smartboard, and Starlink internet to support digital learning and blended instruction.

The Ministry of Education has described the facility as part of a broader effort to modernise education delivery by integrating technical and vocational training with traditional academics. The government’s policy direction emphasises student choice, aiming to equip learners with a mix of practical skills and academic knowledge for a dynamic labour market.

Similar TVET facilities have already been established in Regions One, Three, Four, Five, and Nine. Bartica’s commissioning is the latest step in expanding access to skills training across all regions.

The Education Ministry said the initiative reflects Guyana’s commitment to building a more inclusive and workforce-ready education system that prepares students to participate meaningfully in the country’s ongoing development.