SOCIAL Cohesion Minister Amna Ally has said that Government is committed to providing the ‘Good life for all Guyanese’, regardless of race, class or religion.On a recent Government outreach with seven other senior ministers to indigenous communities in both the North and South Rupununi, Minister Ally, engaging more than 100 residents at the Hiawa Primary School, detailed Government’s plans for the development of Region 9 and the Hiawa community.

The Social Cohesion Minister said she is part of a Government that is working to provide the ‘good life’ to all Guyanese despite colour, class, religion or political persuasion.

Minister Ally informed the residents that President David Granger’s vision for a better Guyana is one which entails elimination of all inequalities and discrimination from society, especially ethnic discrimination.

“Our President — a man with a vision — has decided that we must end this racial discrimination in order to develop this country. We want to bridge the gaps that exist, because we are all Guyanese and there must be a level playing field,” Minister Ally declared.

The Minister referred to establishment of Radio Lethem 95.1 FM, which she stated is the beginning of the process of integration and bridging the gaps. She said that with this critical communication mechanism, Region 9 residents “can now be aware of what is happening in Guyana and the rest of the world.”

Minister Ally spoke of the involvement of youths in the developmental process of the communities, regions and the country; and she encouraged those present to get involved and be a part of the process.

“We provided bicycles to the five top students of Region Nine as a motivation for them to continue doing good. Our Government recognises that our young people must be nurtured and developed, and that is why we are giving them a boost and motivation,” she declared.

Minister Ally also presented bicycles to the top five students of the Arapaima Primary School who had done well at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations. The minister, in advising the residents of the Government’s plans, explained: “We have been doing things to bring the good life to all of you. We don’t believe in only giving you gifts, but we want to empower you.”

The minister said she has been advised that, ” you are producing a lot of oranges, and I would love to partner with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) to develop a project where you can produce marmalade, but this is something we will have to discuss and further develop.”

The main economic activity of the over 400 residents of Hiawa is farming. Citrus crops are mainly planted, and according to the residents, oranges are usually harvested in their thousands, but these fruits are usually not all sold. It was with this in mind that Minister Ally proposed the establishment of a unit to produce marmalade – a preserve made from citrus fruit, especially bitter oranges — prepared like jam.

During the open-floor session, residents raised several issues, including the need for furniture for the health hut; the need for youths of the community to be included under the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme; the need for sports gear, and for educational awareness programmes on social issues such as teenage pregnancy, which is dominant in the community.

Minister Ally committed to following up the issues raised with the relevant Government ministers in an effort to have them addressed. She undertook to provide the furniture needed for the health hut, and sports gear for the youths.

When staff of the Government Information Agency (GINA) spoke with the residents, they expressed gratitude for the visit by the team, and commended the Government for showing interest in their lives.

Retired Teacher and resident Joseph Abrams told GINA that he was very happy that Minister Ally had visited, and he said he would like to see more such visits from Ministers.

“The visit from the Minister was really great. It’s a sign that Government is indeed interested in us and our welfare, and the Government wants to see us well developed and living a better standard of life. And we are very, very happy for this,” Abrams said.