GOOD governance is crucial to the further development of Guyana; and to achieve this  objective, Government carried out community meetings across the Region Five district to  ascertain the needs of residents.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, during interactions with residents of  Bennette Dam, Rosignol/D’ Edward, discussed several pertinent issues including education,  infrastructural development, water and sanitation.
Minister Baksh highlighted that tenders have been awarded for the rehabilitation of roads in  the area. It was decided at the meeting that after the roads would have been rehabilitated,  bars will be placed to prevent heavy-duty trucks from traversing them since that is one of  the major contributors to the deterioration of the road.
During an inspection of the area, Minister Baksh emphasised that the community is developing  with a growing population. Residents on the Middlewalk Dam requested that a road be  constructed on the dam and noted that it will benefit all, primarily school children. They  however noted that their request may not be granted owing to the fact that the suggested  area for the road is on private land.
Minister Baksh highlighted that negotiations can be carried out and once the land is  attained, the road can be constructed, since it is important.
He indicated that at the national level, Guyana has performed the “best ever” and did well  as compared to the Caribbean in English, and has improved in Mathematics at the recent CSEC  exams.
However, he is not satisfied with the performance of schools in Region Five and has promised  to carry out unannounced visits during Education Month (September).
Minister Baksh further explained that parents need to play an integral role in their  children’s education, particularly in ensuring punctuality and regular attendance at school.
He posited that Government has been implementing programmes such as the issuance of vouchers  for school related items, including uniform material, to support parents financially.  Another programme implemented by Government to increase attendance is the provision of meals  from nursery to Grade Two.
It was noted that some residents have collected their vouchers and purchased items for their  children to return to school.
Many residents pointed out that there is need for further infrastructural development in the  community to link dams and create easier access to social institutions, including Rosignol  Primary School.
Residents are accessing potable water and Minister Baksh noted that the community, as well  as Cotton Tree, is benefiting from the water treatment plant recently commissioned in the  latter. It was noted that Government has been erecting these plants in various communities.

The presence of garbage on the road corridor and the clogging of drains were concerns raised  by residents who claim that these are contributing to flooding. When Minister Baksh inquired  about the proactiveness of the sanitary officer in the community, residents responded that  they were unaware of whether or not one existed.
Minister Baksh highlighted that he will inform the relevant authorities, primarily the  Ministry of Local Government, about the residents’ concerns.