“Whatever is happening, be it in education, be it in health, be it in infrastructure, what is happening on the coastland – the Indigenous people will benefit,” Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson pledged during a meeting with residents of Kopinang, Potaro-Siparuni.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton also accompanied the Housing Minister to the Region Eight community.
The Housing Minister reiterated that the time had come for the gap to be closed between the coast and the interior regions. According to Minister Ferguson, this spurred by President David Granger to push for a united Guyana, inspired the creation of the Ministry of Social Cohesion. The ministry, she said, is intended “to bring all citizens together under one accord.”

The meeting saw the two ministers actively addressing matters on the ground.
Also, during the meeting, the residents were reminded to hold their local representatives accountable when projects, which are slated for the development of the community, are not executed.

During his remarks, Minister Norton recalled visiting the community on previous occasions, prior to his ministerial post, to enquire about resident’s well-being and needs. He noted the visits were to listen to, and address the needs of residents. He has since committed to assisting with efforts to diversify crop production from cassava to bora, ochro, eggplant, and other vegetables, with the provision of seeds and technical assistance via the Agriculture Ministry.

Pledges were also made to have requests for village transportation, firearms licenses, a rehabilitated playfield, primary school bridge, airstrip, community youth centre and technical assistance for farmers forwarded to the relevant ministers and agencies for resolution.

Described as “one of the most beautiful villages in Guyana”, Kopinang, located in the North Pakaraimas, is home of the Patamona people. Wokumung/Kopinang Mountain takes up most of the background of Kopinang Mission with some of the highest peaks in Guyana, some reaching up to 6,000ft. They make up part of the North Pakaraimas in the Potaro region. (DPI)