MINISTER with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, during community outreaches across East Berbice-Corentyne over the weekend, assured residents of government’s commitment to improving the lives of all citizens.
The minister interacted with the residents at the grassroots level and listened to their concerns. In some instances there were immediate interventions while other matters were recorded and will be addressed at a later date.
While most of the concerns centred on drainage and irrigation, roads and other infrastructural matters, Minister Singh assured residents that the government remains committed to making the lives of every citizen better by putting systems in place and providing opportunities for all to benefit.
“So this is our commitment to you to continue to work in every sector: infrastructure, roads, electricity, water, schools, and hospitals and to create training opportunities,” he said.
While speaking at the Lesbeholden Primary School in Black Bush Polder, Minister Singh spoke of the administration’s plan to see the area thrive and to continue to keep its place as a major producer of agricultural produce.
Additionally, government has also partnered with a Guyanese-owned international company to develop an agro-processing facility which will directly benefit the community and provide farmers with a wide range of alternatives and opportunities to market their produce.
While highlighting the devastating floods of 2021, the minister said government will be investing in two new major drainage outlets, one in Region Five and another in Region Six. These investments are being made to lessen the devastating effects in the future.
He noted that Berbice is poised for massive development in all areas and he urged persons to prepare to take advantage of those opportunities. “We all have to adapt to the new opportunities that are emerging. We can’t move to sit down and say this is what I have done all my life.
This is what I know; I’m not prepared to learn anything else and I’m not prepared to do anything else because if we are not prepared to adapt, then surely we’re not going to be able to survive in a rapidly changing world. Our plan is to see Black Bush resume its place as a major producer of agricultural produce and food products and we will make the necessary investments to achieve that. We will also create new opportunities, but you will have to take advantage of those opportunities,” he told the sizeable gathering of residents.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
He also highlighted the major infrastructural developments being undertaken in the region ranging from housing, roads, bridges, construction of call centres and international hotels to the construction of two new hospitals that will change the outlook of the region and improve the lives of residents.
Regarding educational opportunities, Minister Singh told the Black Bush Polder residents that higher education has always been a vital component of the government’s agenda.
It started with the founding leader, Dr.Cheddi Jagan, and his push for university education and subsequently Dr.Bharrat Jagdeo’s vision which saw the opening of a University of Guyana campus in Berbice.
The minister pointed out that currently, President Dr. Irfaan Ali is providing opportunities for all citizens to access tertiary education from the comfort of their homes through the GOAL scholarship programme. On that note, he urged persons both young and old to take up these opportunities and empower themselves, so that they can be a force to be reckoned with in the developing world.
At Moleson Creek, he informed residents of the major transformation that will arise with the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge. Aside from job opportunities, he said that their lives will improve and there will be a boost in economic activities across the town.
On Sunday, Minister Singh and a team of regional officials visited Kildonan, Albion and Nigg. While at Kildonan, he was able to address several concerns and committed to addressing same.
“As a responsible government we are trying to put in place the things that are necessary for long-term well-being…and at the same time address the things that are more immediate and urgent.” Among the issues highlighted at Kildonan were the need for cricket coaching for youths and the development of the community centre ground and facilities, as well as improvements to the access dam that leads to three cemeteries.
Minister Singh agreed to offer a stipend to a young resident who is working with the youths in cricket basics and promised to have an arrangement in place for a professional coach to visit at least once per week to provide more technical guidance.
Further, engineers were instructed to provide estimates for infrastructural works to make a block-making facility operational, while the co-op society that administers the facility is to be revitalised.
Instructions were also given to engineers to provide an estimate to fence and level the community ground and rehabilitate the sanitary block.
Following the meeting, residents expressed appreciation to the minister for the visit to the community and for providing an avenue for them to air their concerns.
During the two-day visit to the region, Minister Singh was accompanied by Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain, Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Mary Samaroo, Regional Health Office Dr.Vishalya Sharma and regional engineers. On Saturday, Director General of the Ministry of Health Dr.Vishwa Mahadeo was also present at the Moleson Creek, Crabwood Creek and Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder meetings.
