–residents tell Region Two REO

By: Indrawattie Natram

RESIDENTS living in the Amerindian community of Wakapoa, in the Upper Pomeroon River, recently pleaded with Region Two Regional Executive Officer (REO), Devanand Ramdatt, to assign a resident doctor to the area. This was among the requests made to Ramdatt during a two-day outreach in the community.

During interactions at the Wakapoa Village Council’s building, residents of Massarie, Yarashirima, Myrie, Mora, Curimeru, School Island and Koria, which are all areas in Wakapoa, said they are in dire need of a residential doctor. Residents explained that after the last doctor left, no replacement was sent. “We need to have someone in our community so when there is someone seriously sick, a doctor can attend to them,” a resident remarked.

At the meeting, Ramdatt emphasised the importance of community participation and creating equal opportunities for the enhanced livelihood of Amerindians. Residents were also informed that the community recently received a sum of $15M from the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs as part of the COVID-19 Relief Fund for income generation, job creation, and infrastructural development.

As such, the REO reminded residents that meaningful consultations, project sustainability, transparency, and accountability are important. Some of the other concerns raised by residents include the second phase of the $25,000 COVID-19 cash grant, access to quality education during the pandemic, a boat for medical emergency purposes, and the construction of a bridge at Curimeru. Residents explained that the bridge was important since children have to walk three miles to access their nursery school.

With regards to the improvement of infrastructure, the residents called for the upgrading of the community roads, solar wells and improvements to infrastructure at schools, especially Wakapoa dorms, and at the health facilities. They are also in need of planting materials. The REO promised the residents that a team of officers from the Engineering Department, Education Department, GWI, and NARIE will visit soon to follow up on issues raised with the aim of immediately addressing them.