-Nokta tells residents in Demerara River communities
DURING a visit to the communities along the Demerara River last Sunday, Coordinator of Hinterland Affairs Mr. Harripersaud Nokta alluded to the development that is taking place across the country.
“If you look around you see development; if you can read you will know that there is development; and you can also feel and smell development…this will tell us that Guyana is moving forward,” Nokta told the residents of Santa/Aratak Mission and Suzanah’s Rust, along the Demerara River.
The former local government minister was accompanied by Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) Chairman Mr. Julius Faerber; Vice Chairman Mr. Manpersaud; PPP/C councillor Mr. Nazir Ahmad, among others.
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 centre.

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

“We have moved two steps forward…kidney transplant is now possible and some aspects of heart problems 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 has so many Guyanese 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 rates…it has become more affordable… and this is as a result of government’s vision to provide shelter for all citizens” Nokta declared.
Turning to the education sector, Nokta again stated that it is yet another success story where Guyanese children are heading the lists 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 schools feeding programme, uniform vouchers and hot meals programme have been some of the initiatives taken by government to curb the situation.
Identifying the One Laptop Per Family project and the installation of solar panels in remote areas as evidence of a caring government, Nokta stated that government recognizes that all must be involved to secure a better future and called on residents to lend their support and cooperation.
Faerber, in his remarks at the meetings, urged residents to sensitise themselves with the developmental 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.