Dear Editor,

FIRST of all, let me take this opportunity to extend holiday greetings to the management and staff of your newspaper. I wish that, in 2017, the good work will continue as you provide this nation with accurate news and views of the people, like what had happened in 2016.

I would like to bring to the attention of the readers the many positives that took place in Region Five over the past 11 months or so. As we all know, the RDC was on a standstill for several months due to the unprofessional manner of the regional chairman towards HE David Granger.

While during that time, some say, there was a standstill regarding works within the region, work was actually ongoing at a nice pace; maybe not how we had expected it, but it was happening.

Under the watch of Mr. Ovid Morrison, who was assigned to us as the REO, in the past few months, Region Five did exceptionally well in ensuring there was progress in all sectors. I must congratulate Mr. Morrison for his professionalism and the work ethic he has shown to the workers of the region, the RDC councillors, and also the public.

This man is truly a professional public servant, whom I truly believe was a chosen one among all to be sent into the region. He has ensured that all the workers are being treated and heard fairly. His interaction with the staff of the RDC and the public has been admired by all, and that is why Region 5 is on the road to major development in 2017.

The RDC must be commended for work in all sectors done in 2016, be it in education, health, agriculture, infrastructure, etc. The region has seen vast improvements in roads within villages, and other facilities that benefited the people of the various villages.

In the health sector, there has been tremendous improvement. Hospitals and health centres have seen major improvements, be it in staff, drugs, facilities, etc. There has been improvement in patient care at all the health facilities; and moreover, there have been better health services.

Several awareness programmes were held to help the public become health conscious. We saw, during the past months, several public marches on various national health awareness days. In 2016, the Health Department, I feel, was well awarded to boost its progress more in 2017 when it acquired lands to build two brand new health centres in the areas of Cotton Tree and High Dam, Mahaicony.

I must commend the RHO, Dr. Chefoon, for his vision in the health sector; and also his staff, for putting lots of effort into ensuring Region 5 has better health services. I wait to see more of the positives from this sector in 2017.

In the education sector, there has been much enhancement. We saw upgrade of school facilities; better teaching services in the various schools, be they nursery, primary or secondary; and the region’s children benefiting from several outdoor educational programmes, debates and work studies.

The Schools Welfare Department has done a fantastic job in 2016 by ensuring that children go to school, and after school they quickly get home, because the welfare officers are on the road. There have been less children liming on the roadways since.

There were several programmes that benefited the teachers, children and public during Education Month 2016. There are lots more happening, but I will not go further.

The Education Department did not end its work there in 2016. What could not have been achieved in the past decades have been achieved by the department. A brand new nursery school will soon be a reality for the children of Perth Village and the surrounding areas, as the department has secured a piece of land to construct this school in 2017.

Allow me to say to the REDO, Mr. Pollard, and all his staff within the Department of Education, Region 5: Thanks for a job well done towards improving the education sector. I know that 2017 will be better for our children and teachers under the department’s work programme.

In Region 5, the Works Department has been doing a very good job for the past several months. We saw works being done to great satisfaction throughout the region. It is being well monitored, and I can clearly say we are having value for money.

Several village roads and bridges were constructed, and some rehabilitated, to the satisfaction of the villagers. Works on drains and canals have been high on the agenda, so as to avoid major flooding in the region. I must commend the regional engineer, Mr. Sukha, and team for a job well done in 2016, and do look forward for greater success in 2017.

The agriculture sector has seen vast improvement as well. We all know that Region 5 is a major agricultural area. Works have been done to improve the lives of the people in all the sectors. Drains have been cleared so as to get water to the cash crop farmers. Outreaches were done with organisations such as NAREI and the Ministry of Agriculture so as to benefit the people.

One of the much-anticipated projects that we all look forward to is the Agriculture Farm, which is now being put in place by the regional administration at Fort Wellington. I know that the project will be of tremendous help to the cash crop farmers of the region, and moreover the youths of the region. The project is intended to get youths involved in agriculture. I must commend the REO for his vision in implementing this project, and do look forward to see it blooming in 2017.

The regional administration has done something that could not have been achieved over the past decades: State lands or road reserves were illegally occupied by residents of Mahaicony and LIDCO for years, but the administration was able to remove those who were illegally occupying state lands\road reserves in the Mahaicony area. The said lands were used to build a brand new boat house for the fishermen in Mahaicony.

Overall, as a regional representative of the people, I must say that Region 5 has completed its work programme weeks ago, and has done exceptionally well in ensuring that we, the people of the region, benefit from the more-than 110% work done in 2016.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish the REO, members of staff and their families, and all Region 5 RDC councillors a Merry Christmas and a blessed and productive 2017. Let the good works continue. Congratulations once again to the Region 5 RDC Administration for working towards creating “A Better Life For All”.

Regards,
ABEL SEETARAM
APNU+AFC
Regional Councillor
Region 5