—says Regional Vice Chairman

REGIONAL Vice Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Zamal Hussain, delivered a powerful address at a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) public meeting held in Plegt Anker, East Bank Berbice, last week, where he underscored the significant transformation that has taken place in the area under the current government.

Hussain reminded residents of the difficult past, recalling the years when poor infrastructure had forced many to leave the community.

“Plegt Anker is an area where you had to take several hours to get here. People were forced to leave cause of the road and with the opposition saying you can’t eat road. Twenty years back you can’t come out of Mara in one day whereas now you can traverse the road freely. That is development under the PPP/C.”

He emphasised that the development of roads is not just about convenience but about reducing the challenges faced by residents in their daily lives.

“Cutting time to go to the nearest township, which is New Amsterdam. That is the important part of building roads.”

Hussain announced that with almost 90% of the roadworks almost complete, residents can soon expect the long-awaited asphalt overlay.

Turning his attention to the period of APNU+AFC governance, Hussain said there was no real development to highlight.

According to him, when he and the current Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, visited the East Bank Berbice area after the PPP/C was reelected in 2020, people complained about drainage, roads, health centre, employment issues, lack of sales for produce etc.

“We take those complaints and we start to fix them over time; we have changed the landscape of East Bank Berbice, not only of the road but the agriculture and draining system of EBB. More farmers are getting access to the land.”

He added that farmers themselves can bear witness to the massive development within the various communities. “We desilted the outfall, and we had to do major infrastructure work in terms of drainage and irrigation.”

Hussain highlighted President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to agriculture in the region.

“President Ali had made a commitment where 100 acres of land had been cleared for pastures with infrastructure work to be put in. We will be planting grass that will be beneficial to the farmers in East Bank Berbice.”

Farmers, he said, have also received direct assistance from the government.

“When we came here, persons didn’t have money to invest into their farms, so we also give them planting materials; we do the shade house.”

The Regional Vice Chairman also noted the distribution of resources to enhance agricultural production. More than 100 people have already benefitted from land-clearing exercises, Hussain said.

Beyond agriculture and infrastructure, Hussain pointed to rehabilitation works carried out on religious institutions within the area. He stressed that residents must recognise the government’s record of delivery and cautioned them against trusting other political parties.