RESIDENTS of East La Penitence, Georgetown will soon see major transformation and development in their community as work has commenced on the crafting of a national developmental plan with emphasis on youth empowerment. The first consultation was held yesterday at the East La Penitence Primary School.Spearheading this developmental process is Minster within the Ministry of Social Protection, Simona Broomes, who has been assigned responsibility for the community. Yesterday meeting, which was facilitated by Minister Broomes, saw the participation of Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.
The consultation, which was attended by approximately 60 residents, was told that emphasis is now being placed on the development of the community since there is need for an intervention by the Government in improving the living standards of the residents there, thereby creating avenues for the employment of young people as well as providing them with recreational facilities. There are immediate plans to establish a basketball court in the community for the youths.
Addressing the consultation before taking questions, Minister Bulkan said that his Ministry is fully aware of some of the issues affecting the communities, and where possible, efforts are being made to address them. He, however, noted that most of those issues have to be fixed by the Municipality. The Minister explained that his Ministry is open to working with members of the community in whatever areas possible to assist in improving the community.
Meanwhile, Minister Ferguson has committed to the residents that her Ministry will be undertaking repairs to bridges that need fixing in the community, since a few of them pose a threat to life. The Junior Public Infrastructure Minister also pledged her Ministry’s assistance in the overall development of the community.
Residents in their interactions with the Ministers highlighted the need for immediate repairs to be done to several bridges in the community which are being used by school children and are in a deplorable state. Other concerns were raised about the state of the drains and canals, culverts and kokers which are also in need of immediate repairs.
These concerns were noted and according to Minister Broomes, a committee, with members chosen by the residents to oversee the development and monitor the implementation of projects will be established. The Minister has committed to working with this committee in realising the various developmental initiatives.
Yesterday’s consultation was the immediate action following a walk-about done by Minister Broomes two weeks ago, where she interacted with residents in an effort to hear their concerns and to see how best these can be addressed. The Ministries of Communities and Public Infrastructure is part of the initiative since most of the residents’ concerns fall within those sectors. (GINA)