-Nokta tells community meetings in Essequibo River
“IF you look around you see development, if you can read you will know that there is development, and you can also feel development. This will tell us that Guyana is moving forward.”

These were the sentiments expressed by Coordinator of Hinterland Affairs Mr. Harripersaud Nokta during his meetings on Wednesday with residents at Aliki, Lannaballi and Makouria along the Essequibo River.

The former local government minister was accompanied by Region Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber and officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

Nokta stated that social services across Guyana have improved considerably over the years. He pointed out that the health sector is one such beneficiary where every Amerindian community now has a health post/health center.

Noting that less people are dying, Nokta said that it is government’s policy to bring health care treatment to every community.

“We have moved two steps forward. Kidney transplant is now possible and some aspects of heart problem can be resolved right here in Guyana,” he stated.

Focusing on the housing sector, Nokta declared that it is a success story and boasted that never in the history of Guyana have there been so many Guyanese who have become bonafide owners of homes. He reminded that prior to 1992, there was not even a housing ministry.

“Today we (the government) have negotiated with the banking sector and loans are now made available at very low interest rate. It has become more affordable and this is as a result of government’s vision to provide shelter for citizens” Nokta declared.
Turning to the education sector, Nokta again stated that it is yet another success story where Guyanese children are heading the list among those in the Caribbean who wrote the CSEC examinations.
“Our government’s investment policy in this regard is consistent with the Millennium Development Goals where every child must receive basic education and become literate by 2015,” Nokta stressed.
Noting that economic factors have caused children to be away from school in some instances, he reminded residents that the school feeding programme, uniform vouchers and hot meals have been some of the initiatives taken by government to curb the situation.

Nokta, however, stated that government recognizes that all must be involved to secure a better future and called on residents to lend their support and corporation.

Regional Chairman Julius Faerber, in his remarks at the meeting, urged residents to sensitize themselves with the development projects undertaken by the regional administration. He reiterated that every community across the region has seen developmental works which are geared to enhance the lives of residents.
Several concerns were raised by residents, including issues relating to pure water supply, transportation, wild animals, land titles and brush cutters.
Faerber assured that the matters would be discussed with the appropriate authorities and feedback would be forthcoming.
(From Jaidev N. Dudhnath, Regional Information Officer, Region Three).