…say East Coast residents

AS the ‘A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance For Change’ (AFC) coalition continues on its campaign trail, residents of the East Coast of Demerara have reassured the coalition that come March 02 they will stand behind them to ensure that President David Granger is re-elected to execute the party’s mandate of creating a clean, “green” and economically wealthy country.

Delisa Stoby, a postal employee of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle related that while there is more yet to be done in communities across the coastline, the efforts that are currently being made by the coalition are not being ignored and are appreciated.

“The street that I live on since I was a little girl – I’m 31-years-old now – it has never been done and it was in bad state. Now it’s being done and it also makes my job easier since I’m a post girl and I have to ride around the Golden Grove to Low Land area to deliver mail,” she stated.

Additionally, Stoby noted that the recent salary increase has also benefitted her household, since she is able to budget herself better and provide for her family.
Corwin Venture, a businessman, noted that while he has been living overseas for some time he has seen that within the past five years Guyana has taken a drastic change in development, in relation to infrastructure and education, hence he will continue to support the coalition government.

He said several communities on the East Coast have seen new roads which make access to certain areas easier, especially during the rainy season.

Venture further highlighted that there has been an outpouring of resources in the education sector which has seen the construction and expansion of several schools not only on the East Coast, but in all other parts of the country as well.

Latoya Anthony, a nurse who resides in Golden Grove, stated that she is pleased with the government’s efforts in bringing back life to some of the communities that were once dull.
“We have a new building at the Golden Grove Secondary School, the roads are being done and we haven’t had a flood in a long time. People from the regional department usually come around and clean the drains, so we don’t have floods,” Anthony stated.
Dicola Ann, another resident, told the Guyana Chronicle that she is very pleased with the infrastructural development she has seen in her community and other neighbouring communities on the East Coast of Demerara.

She noted that she no longer has to worry about her yard flooding during the rainy seasons, since the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have been working tirelessly to keep the drains and trenches clean.
Nicola London, another resident, stated “I’m living here since I was a child and this street, Morrison Street, has never been done. My mother who is 64-years-old can now come out on the road,” she stated.

She added that the street is one of the main entrances to the community cemetery and the recent construction has made traversing easier for residents.

The coalition, since taking office in 2015, has extended the Ann’s Grove and Golden Grove Secondary Schools and constructed a tarmac at the Golden Grove Primary School so pupils can have a safe and secure play area during recess hours.

The minimum wage has been increased from $39,540 to $70,000, making jobs more attractive; 240 local scholarships and another 68 internationally, were offered to youths across Guyana. Additionally, the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service was established to give young people a gateway into the Public Service.

The government has initiated a $100M revolving fund which has provided over 2,727 loans and grants to support young entrepreneurs and their businesses, in addition, 1500 free computers have been installed in 172 community information and communication technology (ICT) hubs throughout the country.

In 2018 the government started the Guyana National Youth Corps for young people aged 16-35. In 2016 this government launched the Youth Leadership Training Programme, which provides a range of opportunities to youths across the country.