– Min Adams-Yearwood tells Strath Campbell residents
By Naomi Marshall

THE year 2020 will mark the start of a new era for Guyana – one that would result in the transformation of the country’s economic and physical landscapes, much to the benefit of Guyanese, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood, told the people of Strath Campbell, Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Minister Adams-Yearwood was one of several government ministers who spread out across Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) last Thursday. Her message was one of development and prosperity, even as she gave residents of Strath Campbell an opportunity to let their voices be heard.

The Agriculture Minister told the residents that in 2020 President David Granger will declare a ‘Decade of Development (2020-2029),’ which will result in every Guyanese benefitting tremendously, regardless of their race, religion, creed or gender.
She said that the number one priority will be education. “Our president is serious about the ‘Decade of Development’ and education is the key to development,” Minister Adams-Yearwood noted.

But ahead of that ‘Decade of Development,’ the education sector is already on the rise. Minister Adams-Yearwood said due to the implementation of the 5 ‘Bs’ initiative – buses, bicycles, books, bags and breakfast – access to education has improved significantly throughout the country, resulting in enhanced academic performance.

Developments, Minister Adams-Yearwood said, are also taking place in other sectors, as she pointed to the recent increase in minimum wage and hinterland and uniform allowances for nurses. Public servants earning between $100,000 and $1M are in line to receive an 8.5 per cent increase; those earning less than 100,000, a nine per cent increase and those earning a minimum wage of $64,220 will receive in their December pay cheques $69,336, a sum in excess of their basic salaries. Importantly, the minimum basic salary in the public service will climb from $64,200 to $70,000.

“There has never been such a salary increase in the history of the former government,” the Agriculture Minister told the residents.
Government, she said, is proud of Region Five for being the biggest agricultural region within Guyana. “This region can feed itself and half of Guyana and we ought to respect you. There are many products that come out of Region Five, including hot peppers, watermelons, bora, cabbage, broccoli, celery, and rice amongst others,” she said.

Minister Adams-Yearwood also urged the residents to “stay focused” as elections approach, adding “this is not a time for trial and error, you have tried this government and we have proved the test. This is not the time to try somebody else. The APNU+AFC coalition have set you free from bondage; stay in your freedom. Put your x at the Hand.”
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison indicated that over $34 million has been spent in the community already for 2019 with upgrades being effected to schools, roads, health centres and the community’s sports ground.

“Come next year I can assure you that the development that you are seeing now would be fast-forwarded at a rapid pace, as the oil money sharpens Guyana’s economy,” the REO told the residents.

Morrison also urged the residents to vote for the APNU+AFC coalition so that Region Five will never again be managed by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – “a group of persons who were not interested in the interest of the collective development of the people of the region.”

Amongst the issues raised by residents were the poor drainage and irrigation system present in the community’s farms, private land ownership and the absence of street lights. Minister Adams-Yearwood promised to engage the relevant authorities to have those issues addressed.

Resident of Strath Campbell, Stanwick Reece, expressed gratitude to the minister, noting that it has been a while since the community was visited by a minister. Stanwick said he is confident that Minister Adams-Yearwood will address the issues raised during the event.
Also at the meeting were Members of Parliament Jennifer Wade and Reynard Ward.