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OVER the last weekend, Ministers of the Government fanned out to several communities in the Moruca sub-district of Region 1. Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill visited and interacted with residents of Haimacabra, Kamwatta, Santa Rosa, Sheba and Koko. 
In explaining the reason for the outreach, Minister Edghill said that President Donald Ramotar is committed to improving the welfare of all peoples, and ensuring that development takes place across the country. Members of the Cabinet, he said, have a responsibility to assist the President in fulfilling that mandate.
He added that the visits are important since the government and its officials are servants of the people.
“We take that mandate very seriously. As your servants we have come to report to you what we are doing, to tell you what we plan to do, and for you to tell us if that is what you want, if you are happy, if you are unhappy and what is it that you want your government to do for you,” the minister said.
He also pointed out that in 2011, the PPP/C government had shared its manifesto with the Guyanese population which highlighted the continuation of investments in the education, health and other sectors.
In acknowledgment of the fact that the education sector received the largest chunk of the 2013 national budget, Minister Edghill stressed that the government is working towards achieving universal secondary education which would empower students to access the education they deserve and, at the same time, they would also be able to pursue higher education. Guyana has already achieved universal primary education.
He explained that while a secondary school cannot be built in every community, investments have been made to build schools outfitted with dorms and teachers’ quarters, and modern learning facilities as well. In other instances, students can travel to school and return home the same day through provision of transportation.
One good example of a new school being built in the hinterland is the $728M secondary school that is being constructed in Kato, Region 8. Other provisions made by the government to ensure every school-aged child gets an education are the school-feeding, and uniform assistance programmes and the provision of textbooks.
Minister Edghill pointed out that apart from the investments in infrastructure, government is keen on ensuring that teachers receive the best training because the wider their skill-set, the more students will learn.
“We are adding to this dimension of training by the establishment of the learning channel and it is coming as part of a menu of measures to improve the quality and access to education and knowledge,” he said. Importantly, this takes the people out of the darkness and brings them to a point of enlightenment by increasing their knowledge.
Further, the expansion of the ICT thrust through the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) is another way of allowing Guyanese access to more information via the internet.
Minister Edghill indicated that while the government is steadfastly working towards the improvement of people’s livelihoods, they are operating in a hostile environment. The minister was referring to the current impasse in Parliament and the recent budget cuts to several projects.
In highlighting the achievements of the former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Edghill recalled his enthusiasm in engaging with the indigenous peoples regarding the improvement of their lives. He made reference to the institution of the Presidential Grant which sought to transform the village economy through vibrancy and dynamism.
“When we talk about Amerindian development and engaging with Amerindian communities, we are not doing you a favour…we are ensuring that your rights are respected, protected and that you are engaged in and mainstreamed into national development,” he emphasised.
At the meetings, the residents were given the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns with the minister. Some of the concerns related to the installation of solar panels, development for women, issues relating to students’ failure in maths, support in agriculture, access to the learning channel, road work and lack of malaria testing equipment.
With regard to the developmental opportunities for women, those at Haimacabra were encouraged to form themselves into an organised group since this would enable them to get the support they need from agencies and organisations such as the Women’s Affairs Bureau, the Ministry of Human Services and other entities that exist to empower women, especially single mothers.
The gathering was also informed about the Women Of Worth (WOW) programme which allows women to access loans from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to establish income-earning projects.
Meanwhile, at Kamwatta, concerns were raised about the $500 maintenance fees the recipients are expected to pay for the use of the solar panel. Minister Edghill told the gathering that over 11,000 of the panels were distributed to families free of cost. As such, the maintenance fees were to be put towards ensuring the equipment is operating adequately and that, if necessary, for the replacement of parts such as the switch.
At Santa Rosa, one of the main issues of concern was the state of the road. Minister Edghill stressed that the contractors are not allowed to do whatever they want, but that there should be strict management on the part of the engineer or work supervisor and greater enforcement of the system. This is to ensure that the work is done to specifications.
With regard to the challenges students are facing in maths, the minister told residents that the Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand, had raised this concern at the level of Cabinet. According to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Guyana is not the only country faced with such challenges, since the Caribbean as well is facing similar challenges. He also told them of the initiative implemented by the Ministry of Education to improve performance in Maths and English.
At Sheba, concerns were raised about the inadequacy of malaria treatment and care. Minister Edghill indicated that the government sends in malaria kits to the region. However, there may be issues that what is sent may not be enough or the supply finds itself in other places.
In explaining the reason for the outreach, Minister Edghill said that President Donald Ramotar is committed to improving the welfare of all peoples, and ensuring that development takes place across the country. Members of the Cabinet, he said, have a responsibility to assist the President in fulfilling that mandate.He added that the visits are important since the government and its officials are servants of the people.
“We take that mandate very seriously. As your servants we have come to report to you what we are doing, to tell you what we plan to do, and for you to tell us if that is what you want, if you are happy, if you are unhappy and what is it that you want your government to do for you,” the minister said.
He also pointed out that in 2011, the PPP/C government had shared its manifesto with the Guyanese population which highlighted the continuation of investments in the education, health and other sectors.
In acknowledgment of the fact that the education sector received the largest chunk of the 2013 national budget, Minister Edghill stressed that the government is working towards achieving universal secondary education which would empower students to access the education they deserve and, at the same time, they would also be able to pursue higher education. Guyana has already achieved universal primary education.
He explained that while a secondary school cannot be built in every community, investments have been made to build schools outfitted with dorms and teachers’ quarters, and modern learning facilities as well. In other instances, students can travel to school and return home the same day through provision of transportation.
One good example of a new school being built in the hinterland is the $728M secondary school that is being constructed in Kato, Region 8. Other provisions made by the government to ensure every school-aged child gets an education are the school-feeding, and uniform assistance programmes and the provision of textbooks.
Minister Edghill pointed out that apart from the investments in infrastructure, government is keen on ensuring that teachers receive the best training because the wider their skill-set, the more students will learn.
“We are adding to this dimension of training by the establishment of the learning channel and it is coming as part of a menu of measures to improve the quality and access to education and knowledge,” he said. Importantly, this takes the people out of the darkness and brings them to a point of enlightenment by increasing their knowledge.Further, the expansion of the ICT thrust through the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) is another way of allowing Guyanese access to more information via the internet.
Minister Edghill indicated that while the government is steadfastly working towards the improvement of people’s livelihoods, they are operating in a hostile environment. The minister was referring to the current impasse in Parliament and the recent budget cuts to several projects.
In highlighting the achievements of the former President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister Edghill recalled his enthusiasm in engaging with the indigenous peoples regarding the improvement of their lives. He made reference to the institution of the Presidential Grant which sought to transform the village economy through vibrancy and dynamism.
“When we talk about Amerindian development and engaging with Amerindian communities, we are not doing you a favour…we are ensuring that your rights are respected, protected and that you are engaged in and mainstreamed into national development,” he emphasised.
At the meetings, the residents were given the opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns with the minister. Some of the concerns related to the installation of solar panels, development for women, issues relating to students’ failure in maths, support in agriculture, access to the learning channel, road work and lack of malaria testing equipment.
With regard to the developmental opportunities for women, those at Haimacabra were encouraged to form themselves into an organised group since this would enable them to get the support they need from agencies and organisations such as the Women’s Affairs Bureau, the Ministry of Human Services and other entities that exist to empower women, especially single mothers.The gathering was also informed about the Women Of Worth (WOW) programme which allows women to access loans from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to establish income-earning projects.
Meanwhile, at Kamwatta, concerns were raised about the $500 maintenance fees the recipients are expected to pay for the use of the solar panel. Minister Edghill told the gathering that over 11,000 of the panels were distributed to families free of cost. As such, the maintenance fees were to be put towards ensuring the equipment is operating adequately and that, if necessary, for the replacement of parts such as the switch.
At Santa Rosa, one of the main issues of concern was the state of the road. Minister Edghill stressed that the contractors are not allowed to do whatever they want, but that there should be strict management on the part of the engineer or work supervisor and greater enforcement of the system. This is to ensure that the work is done to specifications.
With regard to the challenges students are facing in maths, the minister told residents that the Education Minister, Ms Priya Manickchand, had raised this concern at the level of Cabinet. According to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA), Guyana is not the only country faced with such challenges, since the Caribbean as well is facing similar challenges. He also told them of the initiative implemented by the Ministry of Education to improve performance in Maths and English.
At Sheba, concerns were raised about the inadequacy of malaria treatment and care. Minister Edghill indicated that the government sends in malaria kits to the region. However, there may be issues that what is sent may not be enough or the supply finds itself in other places.
PULL QUOTE:
President Donald Ramotar is committed to improving the welfare of all people, and ensuring that development takes place across the country. Members of the Cabinet have a responsibility to assist the President in fulfilling that mandate. – Minister Juan Edghill
