St Cuthbert’s Mission charts new deveploment phase amid Guyana’s transformation
The contribution of Indigenous peoples remains integral to Guyana’s development and international standing, Minister within the Ministry of Housing Vanessa Benn said, as St Cuthbert’s Mission continues to advance a broad programme of growth across the community.
“Guyana would not have the recognition and the renown that we do, not just in our own country but internationally, if it weren’t for the contributions of our Indigenous peoples,” Minister Benn said during the community’s 2026 Annual Heritage Celebrations last Saturday.
Her remarks came as St Cuthbert’s Mission, the only Amerindian village in Region Four, showcases significant progress in education, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and human capital development.
Minister Benn also pointed to planned developments along the East Bank corridor and the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, including government-owned lands in the front lands, which are expected to bring further changes to the areas surrounding the community.
She said such expansion must be managed in a way that protects the interests of Indigenous communities while ensuring they are able to benefit from Guyana’s wider development.
Within St Cuthbert’s Mission, Toshao Alvoro Simon said the pace of development has increased in recent years, with government programmes creating new opportunities for residents.
“Over the past years, St Cuthbert’s has developed drastically and we will be progressing in a way that will ensure that each resident here in St Cuthbert’s benefits from the many programmes that this government has to offer,” the toshao said.
A new primary school is among the major investments planned for the community, with construction expected to begin next year.
The village benab is also expected to be completed before the end of 2026, providing a dedicated space for community meetings and the preservation and sharing of St Cuthbert’s history and heritage.
Infrastructure improvements are meanwhile opening new opportunities for economic activity.
A concrete road has been constructed to Mission Landing and is expected to be extended before the end of the year.
The improved access is also supporting the community’s growing tourism sector, with Simon reporting increased visitor activity and checkpoint revenues exceeding $1 million over the past month.
Agriculture is being positioned as another area of economic expansion.
Cassava cultivated at the community farm is expected to be harvested and processed into a branded product made in St Cuthbert’s Mission, while aquaculture and apiculture initiatives are also being pursued.
Residents are also pursuing studies at the University of Guyana (UG), Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) and Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) in areas including surveying, livestock management and engineering. The toshao said these emerging skills will be applied to the future development of the community.
The village development is also being advanced through LCDS revenues, presidential grants and other government programmes, while the contract ceiling for village-based contractors has been raised from $5 million to $30 million, creating greater scope for local participation in community projects.
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