–key issues in education, health, agriculture, energy to be addressed in the coming weeks, President Ali tells residents

By Feona Morrison

IN a move aimed at improving the quality of life for residents of Issano, a village in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced that the government will roll out a series of developmental initiatives designed to boost the local economy and enhance community well-being.

During a recent visit to the mining hub which is located along the Mazaruni River, President Ali assured residents that the government is committed to addressing key issues in areas such as health, education, agriculture, and solar energy.

He addressed the large group of residents, including community leaders and young children, saying, “We want to ensure that in every community, we have a health centre that is functioning effectively. We have to address the school system to ensure that your children have a positive learning environment in which education is being delivered.”

He emphasised the government’s commitment to enhancing facilities for healthcare workers, teachers and children. While promising that the government wants to provide them with the “best,” he admitted that many schools and teachers’ quarters require rehabilitation. “They need extensions; we need to enhance the furniture…, he added.

The Guyanese leader stated that in order to improve food production, the government will collaborate with the region. He noted that the government plans to talk to locals about ways to support the region’s expansion of cassava production and usage of shade houses, among other things. Dr Ali pointed out that the goal is to increase food production in Middle Mazaruni, which will bring prosperity to residents.

President Ali also told the residents that the government is also expanding the household solar power programme.

“The household solar programme is one in which we are delivering solar panels to every household so that your children can have basic electricity, basic lights in their homes so that they can study and do their homework,” he explained.

In order to better their situation, he said the health ministry has distributed treated mosquito nets and hammocks to miners and villagers, and it will keep doing so.

Region Seven’s economy remains highly dependent on the mining industry, and Dr. Ali brought attention to the numerous taxes that the government has eliminated to support this sector.

“Because of the incentives we are giving to mining, more and more persons are going back to the mining sector,” he noted.

The Guyanese leader emphasised that numerous hinterland villages have benefited financially from the roll out of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), with funds currently being utilised for developing communities.

President Ali gave his word that his administration will take the demands of the populace into account and meet them through various budgetary and policy initiatives in the coming weeks.

“Whether you want to go into honey production. Whether you want to go into livestock. These are the things that we want to discuss with you and spend time talking about,” said President Ali.

Officials from several ministries and government agencies accompanied the President on his visit.

They too engaged with the residents and documented their concerns.

According to the Head of State, officials from the Health Ministry will return to the village next week to conduct eye examinations. “They will also give you spectacles. Persons who require cataract surgery…we will identify those persons and we will take the expenditure to take them out to Port Mourant Hospital to have those cataract surgeries completed.”

He assured persons on the waiting list for fibroid surgeries that “we want to ensure that you are no longer be on the waiting list.” President Ali also spoke about constructing more recreational and sport facilities in Issano.
Additionally, residents shared their concerns with President Ali, with some expressing admiration for his leadership. One resident requested the establishment of a library in the village, while another suggested organising workshops on “the importance of living a purposeful life” for the community.

The resident medical officer, Dr. Wilson, brought up several concerns with President Ali, including the lack of electricity in the physicians’ quarters and health post due to malfunctioning solar equipment. He emphasised the need for the area to have proper airstrips for medical evacuation vehicles in case of emergencies, as well as improved internet access.

Other residents requested drought relief, the construction of a well, a boat to take children to and from school, and the establishment of a hospital and nursery school in the village.

In concluding, President Ali assured residents that all their concerned will be attended to.

“Here at Issano, we’re going to look at the well and the possibility of the airstrip. We have to find land to see whether there is a possibility of establishing an airstrip here to support these communities. In the schools and health centre, we are going to work on improving the government Wi-Fi,” said Dr Ali, as he highlighted some important matters.

Representatives from different ministries and agencies will revisit Issano in the coming weeks to fulfill the President’s commitments.