Communities in Region Eight are being equipped with heavy machinery and trained operators to take on road works themselves, as the government expands a programme aimed at putting more hinterland infrastructure projects directly into the hands of residents.

The first 28 residents have now completed professional training in skid steer and compactor operation and are expected to return to their communities ahead of the deployment of heavy equipment.

The initiative forms part of the Ministry of Public Works’ Community Participation Model, which allows communities to carry out infrastructure works identified locally rather than relying solely on outside contractors.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the approach evolved following discussions with village leaders and the National Toshaos Council about giving communities a greater role in their own development.

He also pointed to previous difficulties with outside contractors, including projects that were abandoned.

According to Edghill, government support initially included grants of about $5 million to villages for relatively basic works. Allocations have since increased to as much as $30 million per village as the scope of community-led projects expands.

Residents selected to carry out the work are also being professionally trained before machinery is deployed.

“It is from this decision that you were divided into clusters to execute the works identified by the community. Your leaders said you can do the work once you’re trained, and we delivered,” Edghill told the graduates.

He said the decision was made not simply to send machinery into the communities, but to ensure residents were trained to properly operate and maintain the equipment.

Each participating cluster is expected to receive a combination of heavy machinery, including excavators, motor graders, skid steer loaders, compactors and bulldozers.

Edghill told the newly certified operators that the equipment will follow them back to their communities, where they will be expected to put their training to work.

“You have received your certificates, you will soon travel home, and following right behind are your machines,” he said.

“You’re equipped and are expected to construct your roads, ensuring there are adequate drains and proper quality surfaces for vehicles to traverse—not just the ATVs like before.”

The 28 residents were trained through the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited, or MACORP, with instruction covering equipment operation, routine maintenance and contamination control.

Edghill also encouraged the operators to pass their newly acquired skills on to other residents rather than leaving their communities in search of work elsewhere.

“I want you to take what you have gotten here and use it to develop your village,” he said. “Teach others in your village, let them learn and expand.”

The programme is being used as part of wider efforts to improve infrastructure and connectivity in hinterland communities while building local capacity to undertake and maintain those works.

Arrangements are already underway for a second batch of residents to receive training.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill