By: Indrawattie Natram

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has committed $32.4 million to upgrade the Suddie recreational ground and several roads in Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam).

The President made this known to residents during a meeting on Sunday at the Suddie Child Care Centre.

During his address to a massive gathering, the Head of State announced that $2.4 million will be used for the upgrading of the recreational facility and another $30 million has been earmarked for the upgrading of miscellaneous roads under the Ministry of Public Works. These inventions, he said, are geared at making life for the residents of the Pomeroon-Supenaam region more comfortable.

He said there will be tremendous improvements in the sporting sector in the region and he took the opportunity to hand over sports gear to two sports clubs.

President Ali told residents that his government has rolled out a series of initiatives that will create better job opportunities for the younger generation, as well as generate economic growth, especially in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

Additionally, he informed residents that free university education is in the pipeline and that government hopes to achieve this within the next five years.

Regarding the rice industry, President Ali said policies were established to ensure that farmers benefit from tax relief and lower-input costs. He said that the government is in discussion with Panama to ensure that money owed to Guyanese for rice shipments are paid.

More research is being explored on various varieties of rice in an effort to increase productivity and yield in the rice sector, residents were told.

Meanwhile, President Ali told toshoas who were present that government will be providing support in various forms to Amerindian communities. He informed them that there will be a solar system per household programme that will benefit all nine Amerindian communities in Region Two. Over 700 solar systems will be disbursed and the President said these will help to boost education delivery in these hinterland communities.

President Ali also informed residents that government has also launched a massive housing programme which will boost the construction industry.

He also assured them that there will be tremendous improvements in every sector, as well as job-creation opportunities.

During the meeting, residents raised concerns about medical emergencies in the hinterland communities, the poor quality of water supplied to the Lima Sands community, and assistance for Venezuelan migrants. Special committees will be set up to deal with all the issues raised.

At the end of the meeting, residents took selfies and photos with the Head of State who was on his first visit to the region since assuming office. Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Communities Nigel Dharamlall and Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill were among those who accompanied President Ali.