THREE-HUNDRED villagers of Lichfield, West Coast, Berbice are keen to see projects earmarked for their community realised. These include the construction of an all-weather road, community ground bleachers and several bus sheds.

Councillor Desney Mentore, the chairperson for C-Field/Tempe and Lichfield, explained that the projects resulted from requests made by residents following consultations.
Several bus sheds, for example, had their genesis due to the onset of the usually heavy rains, also the recognised need for school children to have somewhere to shelter while awaiting transportation, Mentore explained.

She added that the move to construct approximately three miles of all-weather road, will enable rice and cash crop farmers to better access their farmlands. Work on the road has started, with other works set to begin on August 19.
Meanwhile, the stands or bleachers for the community ground will serve as a boost for the community’s youths, and too, as an encouragement for more of them to utilise the facility for sports.

Additional requests were made for solar-powered streetlights, a rehabilitated NDC office, a small incinerator for disposal of medical waste, and the use of a portion of land belonging to GuySuco (Guyana Sugar Corporation) for a dumpsite.

These issues were highlighted during a well-attended community meeting, preceded by a walkabout and school bag distribution, co-hosted by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Basil Williams SC, and Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Meanwhile, the relevant ministers will be apprised of the issues raised.
Among several measures that Minister Jordan highlighted were that pensions could be doubled in the next five years, and plans to increase available cash grants via the Small Business Bureau (SBB) from $250M to $500M. He urged that persons take advantage of opportunities available.

“We will prepare the wicket favourably for you, but you got to bat! Lichfield, like communities countrywide, will continue to see development and all will benefit.”
Supporting his Cabinet colleague, the attorney general said that since taking office, the government has impacted positively on lives countrywide, as he reminded of the well-known transgressions by the previous administration.

Further, he urged everyone eligible to vote, to ensure that they too can get a fair share of the gains that will continue under the Coalition Government. The legal affairs minister further called on residents to take advantage of the technical/vocational courses available.
“Get your young people educated…” he urged and reminded that “if you don’t use it, you will lose it!”