…assures residents gov’t working to improve their quality of life

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, told Amelia’s Ward, Linden residents on Tuesday evening that government is doing all in its power to improve their living conditions.

“We have improved on the quality of life for the Guyanese people in this short space of time…so you’ve got to be patient,” he told scores under a tent following the government’s public day outreach in the mining town.

Williams alluded to the return of the Kara Kara toll booth and other strides made by his government, which contributed to an improved economy in Linden. Williams spoke confidently of winning the no-confidence motion at the Caribbean Court of Justice and assured the residents that life will become much brighter, following the production of oil.
At the packed community meeting, residents were also urged to walk the long walk to the good life together with their government representatives, irrespective of the tier of government they represent.

This encouragement was given by Minister with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes, after listening to several issues raised by residents, particularly those concerning the municipality.

Broomes was joined by Attorney General Basil Williams and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for rural affairs, Valarie Yearwood.

Of the many issues raised, taking prominence was the state of the roads, house lot allocation, job opportunities, and recreational facilities, among other things. While all the ministers agreed that there is a significant improvement in the quality of life for not only Lindeners but all Guyanese, they acknowledged that the good life promised is still a work in progress. To make this a faster reality, the residents were urged to not work in isolation from their local officials but to support them and give them whatever assistance is needed to bring the services to their communities. “Linden, you are sounding divided, can we do it together?” “We got to walk this long walk together,” Broomes stressed.

Many youths who turned up in hopes for positive answers on house lot allocations, were told by Minister Yearwood, who is in transition from that ministry, that more than 400 house lots were allocated in Amelia’s Ward since her tenure began. Presently, however, she related that there are currently no house lots available for allocation, but the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is working assiduously for the transfer of house lots from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and as soon as that is completed and infrastructure is in place, lots will be allocated. Yearwood encouraged those who turned up with their application letters to hold on to them until the process is completed.

She stressed that the government is concerned about Linden since Linden has always been its biggest supporter. “Your government is concerned. My government is a concerned government; Linden has always been one of the biggest supporting base and we are concerned about you,” she affirmed.

She emphasised that patience is needed, especially in the matter of issuance of land, since it is one of the most pressing issues around Guyana. “This government met over 25, 000 applications in the system with 2,500 in Linden alone. This cannot be completely addressed in a one-term tenure but significant efforts have been made to lower that number,” Yearwood said.

In the area of employment, particularly for youths, Minister Broomes reaffirmed her commitment, in her new portfolio, to consult with youths, not only for job opportunities, but training as well. Some residents suggested that government funded-factories and manufacturing facilities come to Linden, which will provide employment for many.

Other issues raised by residents were the establishment of a mental health facility in Linden, minimum wage payment for sweeper/cleaners, land for agricultural purposes, school bus for children residing in the new schemes in Amelia’s Ward, erosion issues as a result of illegal sand pit mining at Block 42 Amelia’s Ward, issuance of land titles, chemicals used to fog communities, amongst other things. The Amelia’s Ward community outreach was one of many outreaches held across Linden on Tuesday which followed a meet-the-public day at the Wismar Municipal Market. Hundreds of persons turned out seeking solutions to their issues. The government has undertaken similar initiatives in different parts of the country.