RESIDENTS of Sections ‘A’ and ‘E’ Sophia are thankful to the Ministry of Home Affairs for taking the Rapid Impact Project, an initiative under the Citizens Security Programme to their communities. In keeping with the mandate of the CSP, the Ministry has been investing in projects geared at creating a safer environment for citizens and children.
In this regard, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, on Friday last, commissioned two Rapid Impact Projects in Sophia, a Multi-purpose Hall in Section ‘E’ and a Day Care and Community Centre in Section ‘A’.
Minister Rohee said the Rapid Impact Projects are aimed at assisting communities to become engaged in meaningful activities and urged residents to maximise the use of investments for the betterment of the communities.
He explained that having a crime free society is important for Guyana’s development. As such, Government will continue to invest in the necessary projects and programmes to create social cohesion.
“I am therefore, urging members of the community to make full use of the investments…it should be beneficial to both adults and children,” Rohee said.
Apart from the Rapid Impact Projects, the CSP has also been providing skills training for youths and the violence prevention programmes in Sophia.  The CSP has provided training to over 144 youths in Sophia in various skills geared at developing their entrepreneurial talents.
The centre in Section ‘A’ Sophia benefited from $1M in equipment, including a television, computer, stove, refrigerator, tables and chairs.
Another $1M was spent at the Section ‘E’ centre to rehabilitate the building, washroom facilities, procure tables, chairs, a computer, DVD player, television and a book-shelf.
Minister Rohee also saluted the members of the communities for their committed efforts to bring the projects to fruition.
Representatives of Section ‘A’, Juanita Hinds and Eugene Lewis of Section ‘E’ expressed gratitude to the Minister and the CSP, respectively, for making both their ventures a reality.
The Rapid Impact Projects are aimed at assisting communities to become sustainable in their function as a neighbourhood in which all persons are included in the creation of a safe environment and young people are provided with opportunities that will prevent them from participating in criminal and violent activities.
The CSP was launched in 2007, aimed at employing a multi-dimensional approach towards preventing, reducing and fighting crime.
It targets disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Regions Four and Six, cater for modernization of the Guyana Police Force and the Home Affairs Ministry and build capacity within the force.