THE Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has embarked on another leg of its outreaches in the Demerara River, where five teams of ministers and regional officials visited and interacted with residents on both sides of the river. Based on the village’s location, it can either be a part of Region 3 or 4.

The Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Collin Croal, engaged with the residents of Low Wood and Princess Carolina, both of which are predominantly farming communities.
While at Low Wood, PS Croal recalled that the community was visited last November and a request was made for a solar panel for the village’s primary school. That request has since been fulfilled.
The PS emphasised that during his last visit to the community, it was observed that construction was being carried out on the teachers’ quarters and the health post. He pointed out that thus far, phase one of the projects is complete, but the fittings and plumbing works are yet to be installed. Additional staff for both institutions will also be finalised shortly.
Croal emphasised that those projects are investments being made by the government in communities, regardless of their location and the challenges faced. He highlighted that in the region’s work programme, upgrades will be done on the Low Wood Primary School, and it is anticipated that by the end of July work will start.
While the much needed infrastructure is being put in place, attention also has to be paid on the environment. This, he indicated is the partnership that is required between the Government and the community, that is to keep the environment clean and to ensure that parents send their children to school regularly and the health facility is utilised adequately. Both of these provisions are intended to make the lives of the people better. In this regard, PS Croal urged the residents to return to the days of community spirit.
Meanwhile, at Princess Carolina, PS Croal noted that the Ministry of Local Government, through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), is responsible for the entire country so anything that takes place in the communities is the business of the ministry.
He indicated that while all the requests and concerns cannot be addressed immediately, there are some that require long-term planning and budget allocations, while others can be dealt with by the residents themselves.
In 2013, the village’s primary school will be benefiting from repairs. PS Croal urged the headteacher to collect a copy of the unpriced bill of quantities so as to eliminate the blame game and the community would be fully aware of the project. He emphasised that even though the school’s population is low, government is still investing in the school so as to ensure that every child has access to education, and this is in tandem with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) that targets education. Most of the schoolchildren in the community attend the school at Timehri.
With regard to applications for firearm licences, the PS explained that it is a rigorous process that is controlled by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force, and the ideal procedure is for one or two responsible persons in the community to make the application.
In relation to agriculture, each of the visiting teams had an agriculture extension officer to answer concerns raised in that field, and based on the feedback; the Ministry of Agriculture will schedule an engagement with residents.
The residents were also given the opportunity to raise their concerns with the permanent secretary; these were based on education, agriculture, infrastructural projects (contracts/bill of quantities), securing a firearm licence and sports.
During the interactions, PS Croal told residents that the regions are at a stage where they are commencing their respective 2013 work programmes and projects are set to be completed shortly, since bids have been advertised and awards being made. It is hoped that by November the projects will be completed, even though the budget cycle started late.
In this regard, PS Croal emphasised that the ministry is concerned with ensuring people get value for money. He also stressed that his ministry is concerned that projects are being implemented in riverine communities and people are not aware of them. He acknowledged that while there are monitoring mechanisms, there is a need for the villagers to monitor the projects as well.
The PS explained the importance of the community having a copy of the bill of quantities. He highlighted that it is the policy of the Government, the Ministry of Local Government and the Regional Administration that a copy of the bill of quantities be provided at the work site. Further, some regions are conducting the signing of the awards in the communities where projects are being done.
In light of the developmental projects being executed, the PS took the opportunity to inform the people of the present situation at the level of the parliament and the budget cuts to several life-changing projects, including the Low Carbon Development strategy (LCDS), Amaila Falls, the Cheddi Jagan Airport expansion and the Marriott Hotel.
PS Croal emphasised that Guyana would not have been able to experience growth within the last decade if the Government did not do what it had been doing. He added that the international agencies have foreseen that this year Guyana is expected to achieve 5.2 percent growth. (GINA)