-engages residents on roads, drainage, sanitation, recreation
ON-the-ground engagements and the views of Guyanese continue to fuel development, most recently on Saturday when Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand conducted a community walkthrough in Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara.
The visit, which saw significant public support and engagement, allowed the minister to connect directly with residents, listen to their daily concerns, and outline the government’s vision for local development.
Equality and consistent development were among the core ideas expressed by Minister Manickchand during her visit. Similar to a number of other community visits made in recent weeks, the engagement allowed the minister to hear the concerns of the public first-hand, while making clear the level of service every community in Guyana should expect, going forward.
Minister Manickchand emphasised that the community will be developed through a number of initiatives aimed at holistically developing it in a number of areas, especially community projects and the completion of recreational spaces.
This visit comes amid various robust engagements, nationwide, and similarly, Minister Manickchand clearly highlighted that a standard is expected across the country.
She emphasised that every community should have proper roads, working streetlights, recreational parks, functioning burial grounds, and clean drains.
“We want a beautiful community. And that starts with all of us. A couple of the things we want to make sure every community has is functioning roads, functioning safety and security by making sure you have lights, play areas or recreation areas for your children, that your burial grounds are functioning, working, maintained, that your drains are draining,” she said.
This is why, she took steps to ensure community voices continue to be heard, noting that Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) should be holding regular public meetings with residents.
While Minister Manickchand assessed the wider community, her walk through Temple Street saw residents highlight several urgent challenges impacting their daily lives. Among the major issues highlighted were in the areas of drainage and irrigation, with residents pointing out the lack of proper drainage in the area.
Moreover, residents also highlighted major concerns about ongoing garbage issues, which they shared have long affected the quality of life in the community. Additionally, residents brought attention to the need for washroom facilities on the road to accommodate the community’s ten-day workers, a major aspect to the community’s continued development.
The engagement also highlighted the need for recreational spaces. Following direct requests from the residents, Minister Manickchand took the time to inspect the local ball field, a core but underdeveloped aspect of the community. In efforts to better promote sports and youth engagement, the minister shared that her goal is to improve the space by adding a basketball court and a volleyball net, giving young people in the community more structured recreational options closer to home.
The stop at the ball field was particularly impactful, as residents note that it reflected the kind of hands-on attention they had been asking for, with the Minister taking measurements and discussing layout options on the spot.
This ongoing exercise is part of the ministry’s broader vision to connect communities directly with decision-makers, ensuring that development priorities are shaped by the people who live with their outcomes every day.
Minister Manickchand’s Windsor Forest walkthrough adds to a growing list of community engagements carried out in recent weeks, as the ministry continues to push a consistent, nationwide standard for local development.
Officials have indicated that similar walkthroughs will continue across other communities, with residents encouraged to raise concerns directly with their NDCs in between ministerial visits. Windsor Forest represents the most community that will see change driven by the same standard Minister Manickchand’s has pledged that every community in Guyana deserves.
