By Delicia Janneire
Amerindian communities are being urged to form cluster groups to bid for contracts within their regions, a move supported by the Government of Guyana.
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill emphasized the government’s commitment to this initiative, provided that the work produced meets the required quality standards.
The idea was initially proposed by Toshao of Shulinab, Nicholas Fredericks, during the fourth day of the National Toshaos’ Conference.
Fredericks suggested that the communities’ intimate knowledge of the terrain could complement the work of engineers from the Ministry of Public Works.
Minister Edghill, in response, stated that Amerindian communities are welcome to form companies and bid for contracts like other entities, within the framework of the Procurement Act.
Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo also supported this approach, emphasizing the potential for local solutions and encouraging communities to handle projects directly.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during a recent outreach in Region 8, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of involving residents in labor and material sourcing for projects in their villages.