Georgetown: The sixth regional ‘Government comes to you’ outreach was held today at the National Track and Field Centre, Edinburgh, West Coast of Demerara. More than 20 ministries and agencies of the state participated, and hundreds of residents attended.
After hours of interaction between patrons and service providers scores left satisfied, the majority having been assured of 700 house lots for allocation in a couple of months. News welcomed by many who applied and have been waiting for decades to own a piece of their homeland where they can construct that dream home.
Scores of residents also who visited booths such as the Ministries of Public Health, Agriculture, Social Protection, Education and Finance among others and had outstanding matters settled.
The attendance was closer to 2,000 patrons some of whom were requested to return to conclude transactions with the Ministry of Housing which was overwhelmed by the large turnout. They were informed that from 10:00hrs to 17:00hrs at the same location, the more than 400 patrons of the CHPA will be treated as a priority.
As the outreach activities simmered at the National Track and Field Centre, ministers and their aids along with agency representatives fanned out to meet residents of various communities to give a listening ear and bring resolution to their many issues.
At New Philadelphia Primary School, recently appointed Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams charged East Bank of Essequibo residents to be more proactive and involved in their community’s development.
She announced that in the development pipeline for the Vergenoegen/New Philadelphia residents there is the allocation of $20M for works on George Williams Street in Vergenoegen and $49M for road works in the New Philadelphia area.
The minister further stated that “this is what our government is all about; Development; Ensuring that our people are happy.”
As the meetings continued, at the Malgre Tout Primary School, matters highlighted included improper garbage disposal, the need for road rehabilitation, drainage clearing and upgrade, street lights in their community and the worsening mosquito infestation in the area. The residents, “Squatters” called for regularisation in Pouderoyen.
Then there were individual calls for house lots, the families who currently squat in and around the cemetery area in Swan Street, Pouderoyen, urged the government to look into their issue urgently.
In response, Minister Trotman said he was going to take up the matter with the relevant minister.
Residents were also told that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) will begin fogging shortly to deal with the mosquito infestation.
In response to calls for street lights, Minister Trotman assured this would be possible in the next two weeks.
“I assure you in two weeks, you will get two new street lights in your street… just identify where you would need the poles” stated Minister Trotman.
He also promised to take up the issue with the Minister of Communities.
At the Parika Salem community, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton pledged his commitment towards sport development within the community while Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan urged residents to become each other’s keepers through love and peace.
“The words of others come in many devious ways like racism to try divide our people who have been here as long as our ancestors… we cannot allow this… we must shut out those who come into the community trying to create such,” the minister said.
He also encouraged them to become prepared for the upcoming oil and gas industry by learning a skill or trade.
At the Meten-Meer-Zorg Primary School, Minister Annette Ferguson reassured residents that the Coalition Government is for all Guyanese and together they will move forward. Residents were concerned about drug abuse among the youth, neglect of educational facility, drainage and irrigation, land titling issues and inadequate street lighting.
Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan along with Minister in the Ministry of the Presidency, with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes engaged residents of Wales and surrounding communities at the Wales Primary School. Many residents said that they have applied for house lots for more than 10 years but have not gotten any response to date. Minister Bulkan informed them that hundreds of house lots will soon be available to the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region. He also noted that 200 acres of land would be developed within the next year for such purposes at Meten-Meer-Zorg.
Over in Uitivlugt, Minister Patterson announced the award of a contract to service all lights on the main access road from Wales to Parika. These works are expected to commence in three weeks. The Infrastructure Minister also noted there is a contract out to tender for approximately $12M to install lights at sections of the main road, which will see the area getting lights for the first time.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, accompanied by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region 3, hosted a walk-about in the village of Bagotville. The just over 30-minute exercise was followed by a successful meeting with residents of the community.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Cummings first expressed how delighted she is to have the opportunity to speak with the residents. She informed them of the current political situation Guyana has been experiencing since the evening of December 21 and warned that “there is no need to be alarmed or anxious… Our government is legitimate, and President David Granger remains the Head of State until another President is sworn in.”
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