– As he, Ramotar and others arrive to cultural welcome at Parika
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday visited riverine communities on the Essequibo River where he spent time engaging residents about issues that affected them, making interventions where necessary and bringing ‘glad tidings’ of Government’s plans that bode well for residents.

Among the places he visited yesterday were Lanaballi on the right bank of the Essequibo river; Fort Island in the Essequibo river; and Parika and Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo.
The visit was part of ‘outreach’ that has become the hallmark of the PPP/C Administration.

Speaking to the President and his entourage at Lanaballi, residents of the river community asked about issues related to leases and titles, schooling for children, safety and security and economic opportunities.

The President told them that some of those titles have been deliberately held up, pending inquiries, as to the veracity of claims in light of persons engaging in land-grabbing.

Frustrated at the regular harassment meted out at the hands of members of the Guyana Police Force for not having licences, some residents seized the opportunity to ask President Jagdeo and his team to shed light on the issue of licensing of boats for various categories of people.

The President told them that licences would not be necessary for some categories of persons, such as fishermen, and women taking their children to school by river.

Residents of Lanaballi also complained of not having a health centre in their community. In response, the President said it may not be necessary – at this point in time – to have a health centre in the community but the Government could assist in training a young person who will work in the community.
He also told them that the two new ferries to come into operation by the end of the year would make life easier for farmers, who say that they are disadvantaged by the ferry service that exists today.

Lanaballi residents also spoke of the abundance of plantains in that area but for which they cannot find markets.

Mr. Jagdeo suggested that they process these into plantain chips, thereby adding value and creating opportunities for them. He reminded them that Guyana buys ‘plantain chips’ from Trinidad and thus a market exists for the value-added product.

He called on members of the community to take the lead in this project, which the Government intends to support through providing the mechanism to seal the plantain chips.

The entourage then moved on to Fort Island, where President Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate of the PPP for the upcoming elections Mr.  Donald Ramotar met and spoke with residents.

President Jagdeo promised to send a team from the Ministry of Education to assess the community of Fort Island and other riverine communities along the bank of the Essequibo River to ascertain whether it is feasible to build a secondary school.

However, he said that if this were not feasible, then students from those communities would be accommodated at dormitories on the Essequibo Coast where they will also attend secondary school.

He also said a technical vocational centre could be started at Morasi, on the Essequibo River, to cater to the needs of students who live in nearby communities. The President disclosed also that a similar centre will be constructed at Leonora on the West Coast of Demerara.

Meanwhile, the President and his entourage arrived at Parika to a tumultuous welcome, inclusive of tassa drumming and malas, hugs and kisses.
President Jagdeo commended the welcoming party for its enthusiasm and patience given the hot temperature and slight delays in his schedule of visit. He nevertheless made it clear that the activity was not part of the election campaign.
“I’m just thankful that you turned out here. I know it was short notice,” President Jagdeo acknowledged in his interaction with the residents just a stone’s throw away from the Parika stelling, during which he also told residents that they must never take the freedoms they enjoy for granted.
And as he did in the riverine communities, President Jagdeo touted the Party’s Presidential candidate, Mr. Ramotar, speaking highly about his credentials as an economist and his resoluteness.
“Donald Ramotar comes with a history of service, trying to get people together… our candidate stands head over heel over the other candidates,” President Jagdeo told the gathering.
He then chronicled the struggles made by his Party towards progress and democracy in Guyana and pointed to the evident growth in Parika and several other communities across the country.
In his remarks at Parika, Ramotar spoke of the strength of the present Guyana economy, compared to what it was in the past. “We have been spending more, in new schools, new hospitals and housing…,” said Ramotar.

He said the country’s economy grew because of the policies of the PPP/C and the support of the Guyanese populace.

The PPP/C General Secretary and Presidential Candidate also noted, on arrival at the burgeoning hub that is Parika, that the area is a microcosm of development that is ongoing in the entire country.

“It has now become a centre for the riverine communities as well as for those along the coast,” Ramotar said.

Both President Jagdeo and Mr. Ramotar used the occasion to spread Easter cheer to children and also conducted a walk through the Parika market.

On the way to the City, the President and team met with residents of Tuschen where they aired their concerns and, as always, got a sympathetic ear from the President and his party.

Among those also in the presidential team were Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Mr. Robeson Benn.