The government has announced that it intends to utilize some $166 million dollars to distribute a total of 6000 home solar systems to households in Amerindian communities and other riverain and coastal communities.

The announcement comes at a time when the administration is already being accused of seeking to buy the votes of the electorate, particularly in Amerindian communities.

The multi-million dollar announcement was made on Wednesday by government’s chief spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon who noted that the distribution will be for communities that are off the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) grid and that it was a continuation of a project that commenced several years ago.

The distribution and installation of the panels will be done in coming weeks by trained residents from the very communities.

Already some 13,000 solar panels have been distributed and installed exclusively in several Amerindian communities. Luncheon indicated too that there may be need for some 3000 additional panels.

He said these communities in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine are likely to remain off grid so several years in the future and believes this move will go a far way in serving the communities.

Two weeks ago, the Alliance for Change (AFC) had accused the administration of targeting the Amerindian communities in the lead up to elections and distributing supplies in an attempt to buy votes.

When asked if this was the intention, Dr. Luncheon brushed over the question.

Filed: 25th February, 2015

Related posts:

Prime Minister promises that delayed Hinterland solar power project will get underway this year; $1.7B to be invested Indigenous Affairs Minister grilled over sloth of land titling in Amerindian communities Government urged to address Amerindian land issues and strengthen Amerindian Act Some Port Kaituma residents got solar panels by mistake -Govt.