-by Celestine Chacon
Residents of Kamarang and the wider Upper Mazaruni in Region 7 are set to benefit from a series of major government investments aimed at improving access to critical services and reducing the cost of living.These measures were announced by President Dr. Irfaan Ali at a cabinet outreach on Sunday.
“Within the next three months, the Ministry of Agriculture will establish a tunnel house in Kamarang that will do at least 20,000 chickens every two months. And that chicken will be sold within the upper maz area at a cost,” the president said.
He said the government will also invest in three 20-foot containerized solar-powered blast freezers to provide cold storage for the poultry project.The head of state noted that the initiative forms part of the government’s broader food security strategy and is expected to cost the government some $300 million. In addition, villagers will see the establishment of fuel and cooking gas storage facilities.
“So before the year is out, we have to establish a facility here through the GGMC to have a minimum fuel supply stored and cooking gas stored.That is how we have to support the cost of living challenges, the increase in transport challenges, and ensure that we bring down costs here in upper maz, through Kamarang as a service area,” he explained.
To address the high cost of air travel to hinterland communities, President Ali said the government is examining options to allow villages and regional authorities to charter flights directly. In education, residents were assured that a new D.C. Fox secondary school has already been included in the national budget, with the tendering process expected to commence shortly.
On health, construction of a new regional hospital will move forward in the government compound after delays in securing an alternative site. Consultations have also begun on improving road connections between Kamarang, Kako and Waramadong.