…Pres Granger says govt correcting years of injustice

SAYING it was correcting years of injustices to the people of Sophia, Greater Georgetown,

government on Friday commissioned several roads, a water production system, street lights and distributed bicycles to school children of the community.

President David Granger commissioned the infrastructural works which include the construction of asphaltic roads along with the installation of hundreds of street lights in Sophia, totaling $825M. Additionally, the President commissioned the Sophia Water Production and Distribution System, which was built at a cost of $44M and is expected to benefit some 15,000 residents. But the Government did not stop there; it used the opportunity to hand over 40 bicycles to school children in the area, under President Granger’s Five B’s Initiative.

In his address to scores of residents, who turned out to be a part of the historic event, President Granger said Sophia is an urban legend which has endured struggling times. “It is a saga of sacrifice, it is a saga of struggle, and it is a saga of survival; and today is a celebration of the success that comes after sacrifice, struggle and the battle for survival,” he noted.

Despite being the largest ward in Georgetown with over 25,000 residents, it is the poorest, President Granger pointed out, but said residents must not believe that it is a slum, a shantytown or a squatting settlement, for it is more than that.

He said Sophia for a long time was a “No-Ville.” “Sophia had no water, people had to get black tanks, had to collect rain water, had to buy water, had to get water from the trenches. Sophia had no good roads…Sophia had no sewerage, had to depend on latrines. Sophia had no electricity, everything was no,” he said.

Additionally, there were no schools, health centres, and play grounds or other essential services and facilities, and while some progress has been made, the community has a far way to go, the President said. As part of the national capital of the country, President

Granger said, Sophia must reclaim its dignity and rebuild the spirit of community.

“This community cannot be transformed by Government alone, we need the support of all of the residents, all of the citizens, we need the support of civil society, we need the support of the municipality. So all four of us working together, citizens, civil society, municipality and central government we can transform Sophia,” President Granger emphasised.

Invest in education
Additionally, as a community, he urged the residents to invest in their children’s education, setting a foundation that would enable them to acquire meaningful employment.
The President delivered the address to a cheering crowd with the support of his wife, the First Lady Sandra Granger, the Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van-West Charles; and key Cabinet Members, including the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally; Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma.

City Mayor, Patrica Chase Green and Sophia City Councillor, Andrea Marks were also present.

Minister Patterson, in his address, said the infrastructural works done in the community of Sophia are in keeping with the Government’s commitment to providing the good life to all Guyanese. Based on the ministry’s assessments of roads in the city, Sophia had the worst roads, Patterson said. According to him upon recognising this fact, the most affected areas were identified for upgrades, and as such between 2015 and 2016, a total of $825M was pumped into the upgrading of roads, including a ring road and installation of much needed street lights.

“So where ever we constructed or upgraded a road, we installed street lights,” the Public Infrastructure Minister noted. This year, an additionally $60M will be spent on infrastructural works, he disclosed. However, Minister Patterson said while the Government is playing its part, residents must demonstrate care and consideration. He said, the ministry has already received reports of speeding, and drivers must desist from such acts which can lead to damage to property and loss of life and limb.

Water is life
Meanwhile, Dr. Van-West Charles, in his address, said change has come to the people of Sophia, and GWI, under this stewardship is ready to deliver in keeping with its mission “to deliver safe, adequate and affordable water” to the citizenry, in addition to the provision of safe sewerage systems.

“Residents of Sophia, the disrespect meted out to you by having you dig 3 to 4 feet below the ground surface to access water for your daily activities is now a thing of the past,” he said.
With a new water production and distribution system in place, the CEO said that the water quality will be monitored on a daily basis, and the results will be shared with residents. “We are aware that you have been receiving bills despite the fact that the company was aware of the trials you have been faced with in accessing water. For these unwarranted actions, I apologise to you the residents of Sophia,” Dr. Van-West Charles added, while announcing that the Commercial Director, Marlon Daniels will soon meet with residents to effect the necessary corrections.

“Effective from March, there will be a new billing process to reflect your new access,” he added. He also used the opportunity to encourage those residents who have not yet registered with GWI, to register, noting that the requirements are simple: Identification Card or Passport and a TIN Certificate.
As part of the commissioning ceremony, the First Lady with assistance from the Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally handed over 40 bicycles to children in the area, many of whom are in Grade Six.