SUBSEQUENT to the President’s recent visit to the community of Kitty last Saturday, residents have conveyed their appreciation to His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali for his unwavering dedication in ensuring the installation of drainage and roads by the competent authorities, thus preventing any potential floods and inconveniences in the future.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Lystra Jeck, the owner of Piece A Cake & Cupcakes, a well-known company on Pike Street, Kitty, extended her appreciation to President Ali for his visit and personal interaction with the local community.

Mrs. Jeck stated that while the Mayor and City Council has a responsibility to care for the Georgetown communities, President Ali’s efforts to improve the living conditions for all Guyanese in their respective communities are commendable.

“With Saturdays being one of my busiest days for me, I did not get a chance to attend the meeting with the President; however, I must say that I was beyond happy to know that the President came himself to see what is affecting us as residents here. In most parts of Kitty, the drainage and the roads are in a deplorable state, and even though the mayor and city hall are supposed to make sure that we are not faced with these issues, it is admirable that President Ali has acted and seen beyond that, which is just helping Guyanese.

Looking at the other communities and seeing the transformational work that President Ali and his government are doing, I cannot wait to see the beautification of our village,” explained Lystra.

She additionally requested that once the work is finished, the residents collaborate with the government in maintaining cleanliness in their environment, drains, and surroundings.

“Like I said, we are grateful for the promises that were made by President Ali in making sure that the drains and the overall cleanliness of the community are done. However, I would like to plead with my fellow residents of Kitty and Guyanese as a whole to keep our communities clean. I am all sure that we all know that tidiness is next to godliness, and I hope that we can remember this after Kitty is reformed.”

Mrs. Jeck also took the opportunity to request President Ali’s assistance in promoting and facilitating gainful employment for the youth and young individuals in the region, enabling them to provide for themselves and their families.

In the meantime, Kevon King, a coconut vendor and resident of Durban Street, Lodge, shared that despite earning a living by selling coconut water, he is pleased to observe President Ali’s acknowledgement of his village residents.

According to Kevon, “I am happy with the work that President Ali is doing, and even though I am not from Kitty, I met with him and asked for assistance because I am a single parent.

I am also happy to say that by last Monday, I received a call from the office, and they said that they would get back to me with their assistance. I am not sure what it is yet, but I am hoping that it will be a small grant so that it can assist me in upgrading my business.”

Kevon further added, “I like that our president pops up and makes things happen; as long as you see him on the ground, you know that progress is happening. For years, we have been having drainage issues in Kitty, and it is about time that it gets fixed; not only that, but the old vehicles on the roadways needed to be cleared for a while, and it is finally getting down.”

Moreover, Kester emphasised the importance of clearing the sales area of any debris and maintaining its presentable appearance. “For my fellow vendors on the roadside, I would like to say that we are all selling to make a living, but we must also make sure that the surroundings are left in a clean manner.

We cannot get angry if you are told to stop selling on the roadside if you are dumping your garbage in the gutters; it cannot work like that.”

Furthermore, the Guyana Chronicle conducted interviews with several schoolchildren who expressed their satisfaction with President Ali’s visit on Saturday, as it provided them with the opportunity to personally witness the presence of the president.

A bubbly Samantha (only name given) who attends St. Joseph High School said, “When I saw the president, I told my mom it is the drains that he will tell his people to fix so that we would not get flood again, and it was the same thing he did.

I appreciate President Ali’s humility in walking and meeting with everyone, regardless of his position.”