…hear complaints about state of community roads, GuySuCo pension system

Several government officials last Friday fanned out in communities across the Corentyne urging residents to cooperate with their local authorities to fix some of their issues and also assuring that the coalition government is committed to their welfare.

At Williamsburg, a community located in Rose Hall, Region Six, residents were called on to collaborate with their regional body to advance the development of their community. The charge came from Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock. The minister was at the time engaging the residents during a community meeting held on Friday. Among the issues put to the minister, the most frequent was the need for streetlights in certain areas.

Violet Lambert, a pensioner, asked for the government’s intervention regarding the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) pension system. She explained that previously, seniors would uplift their pensions from the pay office in the area, however, that system was changed, and pensioners now have to go to the bank. However, Lambert said the seniors are often forced to return at a later date because there is no money available at the bank. Lambert also raised the issue of the maintenance of the drains in the vicinity of the Rose Hall Town Council. Minister Allicock made note of the issues and promised to follow-up with the relevant agencies to have them addressed as quickly as possible.

Further, the minister reminded that the administration has restored local democracy with the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE) two consecutive terms. The administration has also been providing the necessary resources so that the local organs can effectively execute their mandate and serve the needs of the people. He, therefore, urged the residents to have more engagements with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and Town Council on the issues. “You have to be more proactive, partner with the regional body and get the work done… it is a partnership in development… We have been working with limited resources to make life better for you… all of the ministries have been working, and we are beginning to see results.”

Just before concluding his meeting, the minister reminded that Guyana is developing rapidly, and with oil resources imminent, more funds will become available. He then strongly advised the community to craft plans to benefit from those resources.  Minister Allicock’s visit formed part of a larger ministerial fan-out to communities in the region.

State of the roads

Across Manchester on the Corentyne Coast residents seized the opportunity to ventilate their issues to Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon. During opening remarks, DG Harmon stated that since assuming office, the Coalition Government has taken significant strides to ensure there is overall development, in every part of the country. He highlighted that before assuming office, development was occurring in select parts of the country while others were being neglected.

“We have developed this country, every part of it, in a manner that was fair and equitable… we are a government for this country.” The Director-General told the gathering at the Manchester Secondary School that Guyana, which is ranked among the top five fastest-growing economies in the world – is on a trajectory of development. “In every sector of this country, you can look and see the development that is taking place… you can see for yourself the changes that are taking place in your country,” he emphasised.

Of the several issues brought to the floor, the state of the roads was the most prevalent. Harmon informed the residents that before attending the meeting, he met with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) where he was updated on the issue. He related that the rehabilitation for the roads will be catered for in the region’s 2020 budget. Other issues included agriculture, employment and health. The Director-General listened attentively to the residents as each stood up to highlight their issues. He assured that the matters raised will be forwarded to the subject ministers and will be looked into immediately. Upon the conclusion of the meeting, the residents left visibly satisfied.

Infrastructure development
For her part, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings told residents of Sandvoort that Government’s development plan for every region of Guyana is not only about fulfilling its mandate, but also comes from a deep-seated love from His Excellency, President David Granger, for every Guyanese citizen. “We are moving across the length and breadth of Guyana in a consorted effort to listen to your issues, to access those issues, to reach out to all our people to let them see that we are concerned with the establishment and preservation of your wellbeing,” Minister Cummings stated.

The minister urged residents to also take full advantage of all opportunities made available to them by the government, especially singling out “education”, as an area she considered a duty. “If there is one legacy you want to leave for your children, let it be education,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated.

Her message is in line with that of His Excellency, President Granger, who has repeatedly emphasised that education is the pathway to prosperity. In the meantime, after listening intently to concerns made by residents regarding the need for more streetlights in the community, and for an enhanced water supply system, Minister Cummings committed to ensuring these were rectified. Additionally, a guard hut will be constructed at the Sandvoort Primary School to accommodate the security officers, who are mostly females.

On the matter of governance and the upcoming Regional and General Elections, Minister Cummings took the opportunity to encourage residents to ensure their names are on the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). She also urged residents not to be distracted by naysayers and persons seeking to disrupt the progress made by the government in the last few years. “Do not let the proliferation of political theatre distract you,” She urged. The meeting with the minister is part of a wider ministerial outreach taken to engage residents at the grassroots level, in their respective communities. (DPI)