…including new roads, schools, a technical institute and a shelter for the homeless
There has been tremendous development in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice), and in the country as a whole, over the past five years. Region 5 Chairman, Harrinarine Baldeo, made this pronouncement last week during the Housing Ministry’s allocation exercise at the Blairmont Community Centre where more than 280 lots were distributed for the Bath Housing Scheme, Phase 3.
“Important things are happening for us in the region, and this is the Government of Guyana fulfilling its promises,” he announced.
Addressing the gathering, he explained that apart from the increasing number of housing schemes being developed there, many other key areas are also being addressed to ensure that residents enjoy an improved quality of life.
“There has been a lot done to make homes available as we have recognized the need of poor people … many other things are happening here as well, in the water sector, with roads, and in the education sector,” Baldeo informed.
Because of the improvement in the delivery of water to communities, he said, residents no longer have the need to complain, since water is readily available and accessible, made possible through the opening of a Water Treatment Plant in Cotton Tree Village.
A number of road projects have also been completed in parts of the region, and works are presently underway to complete the road system in the newly developed housing schemes like Bath, which accommodates close to 1,000 lots.
In light of this, the Regional Chairman urged the new allotees to be patient, as the rapid development sweeping the area will take time to take effect in every single community.
In the area of education, he informed that a technical institute is under construction at Mahaicony, which is a “very important development for the region, as it addresses the education needs.”
He noted that this is designed to benefit young people, especially early school leavers.
“In addition, we have recently opened a new primary school at De Hoop, to the tune of $7M , before we commissioned the nursery school at Bath, executed through the Basic Needs Trust Fund through the Government of Guyana,” Baldeo stated.
A US$2M homeless shelter is also being built at Onverwagt, and this is expected to be completed shortly.
The home is expected to be a long-term resident facility for the homeless, where recreation and medical care will be provided, along with opportunities for employment as gardeners and other types of work.
As to the benefits of this, he said, “This is important, since it is part of the responsibility of the State and the government to take care of its citizens, as in other parts of the world.”
Continuing, the Regional Chairman expressed the hope  that the new health centre being constructed at Experiment Village on the West Coast of Berbice will also be commissioned shortly, adding to the improvement in the delivery of services to the community.
He noted too that there are plans on stream to construct a fire station in the region.
“We fully support the developments taking place; these are important things for you in the region,” Baldeo asserted.