THE Caribbean Local Economic Development Programme (CARILED), which was launched close to two years ago, is now going full steam ahead with its implementation phase, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Collin Croal said Monday.
Speaking at a press conference at the ministry, Fort Street, Kingston, in the presence of Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker, Croal said the first phase of the programme is being implemented in Regions 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) and 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne).
CARILED is being implemented by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), in partnership with the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM), and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF).
The programme, focused on local economic development projects, would eventually work in fourteen Caribbean countries, and would aim to partner with 50 local government authorities to support the growth and development of 500 small and medium-enterprises (MSMEs). It is being funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
According to Croal, Local Economic Development Officers (LEDOs) have been recruited and the head of this team is a national coordinator who is placed at the ministry but oversees the implementation across the various regions.
Providing an update on the project in various regions, he informed that in Region 2, the Tapacuma Women Agriculture Diversification Project has expended to date US$37,500 and the budget estimate is US$42,000. All of the equipment has arrived in the country and the necessary clearance by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is being done.
Speaking about the Canal Polder Green Initiative in Region 3, he said approval for this project has been granted and the total budget estimate is US$41,500. This project is about to be implemented, Croal said.
In Region 4, the project identified is under the Friendship Swine Development and the total budget estimate is US$42,000. Currently, CARILED is working with the community to ensure that as far as possible jobs are created in the community. For the construction of the facility, they are looking to involve the community, Croal said.
As for the Mara Agriculture Enhancement Project, Croal said it has expended to date US$92,540 and the training workshop for the project was completed in March. Part of the project is the procurement of an excavator and it is currently being taken to site.
Through the CARILED Programme, Croal said the minister represented Guyana and participated in the Caribbean Urban Forum in Barbados during May.
Some other activities planned by CARILED this year include support workshops and training for Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), and proposal writing (to support NDCs in writing project proposals).
(By Telesha Ramnarine)