MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, on Tuesday, handed over 20 solar-powered streetlights to the residents of Sophia.
The lights, obtained through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme, would be distributed equally among each of the ‘fields’ in Sophia.
Minister Dharamlall said the exercise is in keeping with the government’s promise that it would be partnering with citizens to raise the standard of living in all communities countrywide. “You have a strong partner in the government, and we look forward to working with you. We must get out there and work with residents of various communities to find out what their issues are and to see as much as possible to resolve those issues,” he said.
Minister Dharamlall noted that the government will do most of the ‘heavy lifting’ because it has found that many of the local democratic organs lack the necessary resources to transform the communities.

During his last visit to Sophia, in April, residents raised concerns about the prevalence of crime there and the need for streetlights to boost security.
Tuesday’s exercise is a fulfilment of the minister’s pledge to provide lights to the community.  The minister committed to taking steps to ensure that community policing groups in the area are reformed in order to deter crime. Minister Dharamlall also called on residents to work closely with the government to develop the community. “So, the commitment has been made, and we are playing our part to move this process forward. We look forward to your support. We would like you to enhance your lives. “As the social services are enhanced, we’re going to see an alleviation of the problems that you all have. This is a work in progress,” he said. The minister said the lights will be installed by skilled residents of the community.

Meanwhile, residents expressed gratitude to the minister and the government for their hard work to advance the nation, and for the lights.
In an invited comment, Odette Clarke said she has resided in ‘E’ field Sophia for over 21 years and street lights were never installed in that area.
“I am very thankful with what minister has done for us in ‘E’ field and we will put it where the dark area is,” she said.
Another resident, Marcia Nurse-Cato, also expressed gratitude to the minister for making good on his promise.
“I feel it’s a good initiative and he is not the only minister who has come here and promised, other ministers have been coming and they have fulfilled, even the President,” she said. This initiative is in keeping with the government’s promise to implement programmes that aid in bettering the lives of Guyanese by creating safer communities, countrywide. (DPI)