AS part of the government’s ongoing on-the-ground approach to community engagement, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Sunday, met with residents and village representatives of Imbaimadai and surrounding communities in Region Seven to listen to their concerns and discuss areas for further support.
Prime Minister Phillips was accompanied by Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Pauline Sukhai.
During the engagement, residents raised several matters related to community development and service delivery, including street lighting, old-age pension, land titling and demarcation, the rehabilitation of roads and bridges, health services, a proposed solar farm, the development of a community ground and centre, education, mining and agriculture.
Prime Minister Phillips assured residents that the matters raised would be examined and advanced through the relevant ministries and agencies, in keeping with the government’s development and service-delivery framework.
In relation to recreational facilities, the Prime Minister noted that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been supporting the development of community grounds across the country. He assured residents that the request for support will be brought to the attention of the ministry.
Additionally, Prime Minister Phillips told residents involved in farming that their concerns would be referred to the Ministry of Agriculture for the relevant technical support and available assistance.
He also encouraged young people from Imbaimadai and surrounding communities to take advantage of scholarship opportunities offered through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning.
He noted that improved connectivity through the Low Earth Orbit satellite system under the WiFiGY programme continues to expand connectivity access therefore expanding access to education and other opportunities in hinterland and Amerindian communities.
He stressed that the government remains committed to using all resources to educate and empower citizens, while ensuring that development reaches all communities.
Minister Griffith supported the Prime Minister’s call and highlighted opportunities available through the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning to deliver technical and vocational training in communities like Imbaimadai. He noted that such programmes can support entrepreneurship, skills development, and employment readiness.
Minister Sukhai, during her interaction with residents, spoke to the government’s work in relation to land titling and demarcation.
She noted that continued engagement with communities such as Imbaimadai remains important to ensuring that these matters are addressed through the relevant processes and in the interest of residents.
The meeting formed part of President Irfaan Ali’s government outreach currently ongoing in Region Seven and the administration’s wider agenda to engage citizens directly, address community concerns, and craft inclusive policies that benefit all of Guyana. (OPM)
