–President Ali promises more equipment, $46M for major D&I works

RICE farmers in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region will be able to swiftly control the paddy bug infestation, now that they have received five boom sprayers from President Dr. Irfaan Ali.

President Ali handed over the equipment on Friday during his Cabinet outreach to Region Two.
The sprayers, which have a combined value of $6 million, were presented to the representatives of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Rice Producers Association (RPA), two major stakeholders in the rice industry.

The paddy bug infestation has been a sore issue for the rice farmers for many years. The sprayers will go a long way in helping them to tackle this issue.

During is address to those gathered on the Association’s tarmac at Anna Regina, President Ali announced that an agenda of action will be implemented at the end of the two-day outreach to further address issues affecting residents across the region.
He said the government is seeking to identify key priority areas, so that residents can be better served.

President Ali also disclosed that $46M will be spent at Jacklow and Dredge Creek to improve the drainage network system in those communities. Following a request from a farmer for improved drainage in the Manacuru area, the President immediately approved the necessary works which will bring relief to some 15 farmers.

The Head of State said that for the duration of the outreach, members of his Cabinet will be paying keen attention to the concerns of farmers and residents along the Essequibo Coast.

“We are your servants; we are here to listen to you, and to communicate with you about some of the things we have done, and will do to improve your life,” he said.

He also informed the gathering that there will be direct engagements with women, youths, farmers, private sector representatives, and members of the region’s religious community.

President Ali noted that the Cabinet outreach has been a hallmark of successive PPP/C administrations, and is in keeping with the party’s philosophy of people-centered governance, which focuses on engaging citizens.

Issues concerning human services, the decentralising of government services, NIS, and deplorable access dams were raised by residents. All the matters were addressed by President Ali, and the relevant officials were tasked with following up on each issue.

Several rice farmers praised President Ali and his Cabinet for reaching out to them at such an opportune time. One farmer, Jagdish Singh, said that during the last presidential outreach, his matter was settled, and he is, therefore, thankful that residents have been afforded another opportunity to be heard.

Rice farmer, Seecharran (only name given) called for better access dams leading to his farmlands. He was told that contracts have already been awarded for the improvement of drainage and irrigation systems in many communities.

Also at the meeting were Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Huge Todd; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess; Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, and National Security Adviser, Captain Gerry Gouveia.