–among recommendations adopted in ROC 2018 programme

THE Regional Democratic Council of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has unanimously adopted the programme for its Rights of the Child Committee for 2018.

The report was submitted by Councillor Ambika Singh at the Council’s January Statutory meeting last week, where, in her presentation, she outlined a number of recommendations for the improvement of services to the children of Region Five to ensure that their rights are protected.

Among those recommendations are that space be given to accommodate a halfway house in Region Five for children whose rights are threatened; the provision of meals for less fortunate children in all schools; frequent visits by the General Registrar’s Office into the riverine communities throughout the region to conduct birth, death, and marriage registrations; and help from the police in converting the main streets leading to schools to accommodate one-way traffic.

Singh also outlined the intention of the Rights of the Child Committee to organise programmes in the various communities to educate parents on the social issues and rights of the child; to organise frequent health outreaches to educate children on the dangers of early sexual activities; and to sensitise shop owners in the Region on the undesirability of selling alcohol and cigarettes to children.

Councillor Delon Crawford commended the Committee for prevailing and getting the job done despite the many conflicts that had beset the RDC in 2017.

Councillor Dolston Hutson noted that the need for frequent visits to riverine areas by the General Registrar’s Office (GRO) was a valid one and that the Council had already taken action on this issue.

He disclosed that GRO officials have already paid a visit to the riverine community of Moraikobai, in the upper reaches of the Mahaicony River, and that they plan paying similar visits to other riverine areas soon.

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal noted that while the Committee may not have the capacity to handle all of the recommendations, the Council would commit itself to requesting assistance from all the relevant agencies which can assist in carrying out its mandate.