Fuel and gas farm in Lethem part of plans to transform Reg. 9

President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Friday that the government will be developing a fuel and liquefied gas farm in Lethem, Region Nine.

The President revealed that the facility will provide supplies to northern Brazil as part of a vision to transform Region Nine into a major economic and industrial hub.

He was speaking at the commissioning of the St. Ignatius Practical Instruction Department and stated that the centre is important as the skills offered will be needed for future massive investments and opportunities.

“We don’t want you to be workers alone, we want you to be owners of the investments,” the President told residents, especially young people gathered at the commissioning ceremony.

Speaking to the residents, the head of state outlined a series of opportunities for communities in the region of which the government is ready to co-invest in.

These include opportunities in agro-processing, tourism and agriculture.

“We are going to find every competitive advantage in every single village and your government will co invest with you to create economic investments,” the President said.

He revealed that a commodities terminal is earmarked to be established linking to the Lethem-Linden road.

Plans were announced last year October for a Lethem municipality airport. On Friday, President Ali revealed that a technical team is now exploring options for cargo planes to transport produce from Lethem and Roraima to Caribbean markets.

“Already, I have a technical team looking at cargo planes that will take produce out of here and Roraima to the Caribbean region. Region Nine will be connected to the rest of the Caribbean through this one investment,” the President stated.

And so he also highlighted that hundreds will be needed in the aviation sector alone and this is where the practical centre will play a crucial role in training residents.

Dr Ali further unveiled other large-scale investment opportunities such as a milk and juice processing plant and facilities for value-added agricultural products.

To this end, a proposal was made to develop 1,000 acres of land for shade houses and hydroponics farms, targeting high-value crops for export.

But for all of the government’s vision to be successful, President Ali stressed the importance of education and training. He revealed that practical instruction centres will be rolled out across secondary schools.

“Everything I mentioned to you here would require the output of this centre that is being commissioned,” he noted.

The plans outlined for the region are expected to materialise in the next five years.

After outlining the plans, the President had one advice for residents: “Do not sell your land. There are vultures that will come. Do not be tempted by short-sightedness. The value of your land will increase tremendously.”