AT the commissioning of the third of four multi-purpose centres, this one at Area ‘C’ Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, called it another physical demonstration of the commitment of the government to the people of Guyana. According to the minister, the $29.5M facility is tangible proof of the administration’s people-centred, development-driven trajectory that was embarked upon and adumbrated in the party’s manifesto.
Minister Ali noted that government considers events like these an opportunity to further partner with people in every area of their development, cognisant of the concomitant need to invest in human capital while improving their communities.
He announced the ministry’s commitment to upgrading the playfield and constructing the fence, adding that this is only the first step to “greater things” for the community.
Demonstrating the administration’s comprehension of the magnitude of the problems facing the residents of Cummings Lodge and Sophia, Minister Ali announced the commissioning of an $80M well that would benefit the more than 5,000 residents of the East Coast communities.
He announced too the impending construction of the market tarmac, intended to bring the vendors who currently sell on the road into a more structured environment.
Since 2000, government has expended more than $2B in Cummings Lodge and Sophia, and is expected to invest millions more in the upgrade of the road networks and other facilities, testimony, according to Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, to government’s community based development approach. Dharamlall underscored the importance of facilities like these in emerging communities, noting their importance to social cohesion and the propagation of community pride and spirit. Activities conducted at such facilities, he said, have a transformative effect on residents and thus creates not just buildings but institutions.
Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water, Philomena Sahoye-Shury, called on the residents to demonstrate unity of purpose as the precursor to social development.
Also present at the commissioning were Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Water, Emil McGarrell; Head, Technical Section, Delegation of the European Union, the funding agents, Christopher Inglebrecht; Chief Executive Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Myrna Pitt; and residents  of the Cummings Lodge ‘C’ Field community.