THE People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Office in Leonora, Region 3, has been opened to ensure that the developmental aspirations, needs, ideas and vision of the people are taken into consideration as Guyana’s development advances. Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali made this observation on Wednesday evening, during the annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Dominoes Competition held at the office in Leonora, when he pointed to the importance of the facility to inclusive governance.
He explained, “Its not only to listen to complaints and problems, it is an office where people could come and share their views on national development, to have their issues resolved, and to save them money from going to Georgetown. They can now come to a place where their leaders can meet them and strive to have their issues resolved.”
According to Ali, the opening of the centre is part of the administration’s commitment to governing with the people and standing by the people.
“This is very important, and it will service the entire region. The idea of the building was in the pipeline before elections; we wanted it to be looked at as part of the PPP/C Government approach to reaching out to people, listening to people and governing with the people, and ensuring that we have a people’s participatory democracy which is important as we advance Guyana forward,” the minister continued.
In an effort to achieve this, various government officials will be visiting the premises to interact with community members, including Ministers Clement Rohee, Nanda Gopaul, Juan Edghill, and Jennifer Webster and the Regional Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Alluding to other benefits of the office, he said, “What we are also going to do is invite representatives from the Chambers of Commerce, Farmers Association, Cattle Farmers Association and sugar workers to discuss topical issues and to have the people involved in the decision making process. The facility will also be used for public lectures on development, oil exploration, budget and other issues that affect the communities in the region.  They will be able to understand their roles in this process.”
The facility can also be expanded to facilitate skills training and development for women and school drop outs.
Minister Ali pointed out that the space was graciously donated by Region 3 resident, Mohammed Ali, for the benefit of community development, and this, he said, is the beginning of a project that would be of tremendous benefit, not only for Leonora, but for all the villages in the region.
Several of the participants in the dominoes competition used the opportunity to speak of the benefits of the Centre.
“We appreciate this initiative the Government has put for the residents in the region and I think we can go a far way from here,” Veersammy Reddy explained.
He noted too that it is also economical, as the people with concerns no longer need to travel to Georgetown to meet with officials.
According to Wazir Ali, the Centre, which has been in operation for the last two weeks, is a very good gesture.
He said, “This is a way in which the ministers can reach out to different people. Not only the Minister of Housing, but other important people whom the community will be able to reach, this is very important to have them come to us.”
The Secretary of the Leonora Community Development Council, Siddiqui Haniff, acknowledged that the office has proven to be very beneficial to the whole of Region 3.
“Many people who have problems and never know how they could share it or get attention are getting attention now, as they visit the office now where officials will be present. We expect it to be very helpful,” he said.