– during Cabinet outreach in Region Ten
To ensure that Government’s policy of accountability, good governance and political developments are met, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jennifer Webster, Saturday held discussions with residents of Hururu, a riverine Amerindian community in Region Ten. The outreach, which saw Cabinet members fanning out in sections of the mining town, was aimed at engaging residents on proposed plans related to community development. It is also in keeping with Government’s Cabinet outreaches held annually.

The meeting at the Hururu Primary School centered on discussions of important issues affecting the community and government’s policy and programmes. It also provided solutions to residents where necessary.
Minister Webster, engaging residents on community development and update of the administration’s planned programmes and policies, said that the development of Guyana’s economy is of great importance to Government.
She noted that the outreach is intended to see discussions bearing fruit on the way forward, and as such, the re-shaping and re-modelling of communities will be significantly enhanced this year.
“There are recorded improvements and now we are interested in what are the next steps you (residents) would like to see happen to add to the current developments.”
She asserted that Government will continue to invest huge sums to further improve the livelihood of residents of Hururu and its surrounding communities.
She advised them that Government will be spending $857M in the area of Information Technology.
It is one of the administration’s aims during this year to have the area more developed as it is President Jagdeo’s vision to have all schools from nursery to university become fully equipped with computers and internet access.
“It is the administration’s vision that every home is provided with a computer system with internet access…the world is changing rapidly and as such we are working to transform the economy,” she said.

She noted that the administration is looking at developing a much brighter future, one where more job opportunities will be created.
“Much money has been spent in investment in the economy; but while there are still some challenges, I can assure you that Government is committed to ensuring that there is stability.”
Minister Webster posited that a lot has been done since the administration took office in 1992 to improve each community, and noted that this will be further enhanced through President Bharrat Jagdeo’s Champion of the Earth award which comes with a trophy and US$40,000. The President has since donated the cash to further develop Amerindian communities.
The President was honoured for his achievements of promoting a Low Carbon pathway through LCDS.
“We are promoting the use of a Low Carbon economy through the LCDS which seeks to transform Guyana’s economy while combating climate change and I urge you to ensure that your environment is kept and sustained in a proper manner.”
Touching on some of the challenging issues faced during 2009, Minister Webster noted that there are still some issues that need to be addressed and assured that Government can and will work through all circumstances.
Speaking on the issue of sustainability and life skills, she disclosed that the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, on June 4, will be launching a micro credit scheme for single parents. The scheme will see single parents benefiting from small loans, to start a business.
This will further help to improve the lives of Guyanese and to ensure that persons are gainfully employed.
While citing the need for timely developments, Minister Webster said that society should cooperate to build a strong and better Guyana, one where there will be more timely developments. She was at the time referring to the Sexual Offences Bill which was passed in the National Assembly on April 22. The Bill seeks to reform and consolidate the laws relating to sexual offences and to provide for related matters.
The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, during the last week of, June will be hosting an Empowerment Forum for Women; and according to Minister Webster, women who want to showcase their talent can do so, since the Ministry will be providing assistance for transportation cost and food.
Meanwhile, Toshao of Hururu, Herman Williams, on behalf of his community, expressed further support to Government.
“We acknowledge and appreciate the many developments which have been made possible through government…and I want to say that we support the PPP/C Government fully, since it has been and continues to be institutionalized in nation building.”
He posited that many timely developments have been recorded over the past years through Presidential grants. A skills training centre, a health post with trained health workers and village council office were built.
Williams said that $3M has been spent to improve the water sector in the area, and $3.2M for the construction of a multi-purpose hall, while a $6.4M grant (pilot project) was used to improve Information Technology through the construction of an IT lab.
Two AC units and 30 chairs were also donated to the center by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Williams also used the opportunity to congratulate the Head of State on his recent achievement as Champion of the Earth.
Among the issues raised at the meeting were proper irrigation and drainage structures in the Landerville area, especially in light of the El Nino condition, water, more computers, more teachers for Hururu Primary School, an adequate sanitary facility, a larger boat engine and a boat to transport children from Bamboo creek, agricultural assistance, and proper roadways from Kwakwani to Hururu. Many of the issues raised were addressed by the subject Minister and the Toshao. (GINA)