-Minister Ramraj pledges roads, solar lights, water improvement for growing community

THE government of Guyana continues to showcase the importance and impact of public engagement through the most recent Cabinet outreach held in Region 10 on Wednesday.

The outreach, which was headed by President Dr Irfaan Ali saw ministers and government officials meeting with Guyanese to hear their concerns and get their issues resolved. Among the communities visited was Chinese Road, where Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj engaged many residents.

Giving an update on the visit, Minister Ramraj, who was accompanied by Member of Parliament, Zamal Hussain, pledged to help the community develop vital areas such as water, electricity and roads.

The outreach is among the most recent public engagements held nationwide in recent months. These engagements, Hussain noted, continue to be vital in helping Guyana’s leaders hear concerns and take action.

The visit served to highlight the challenges faced by the people of Chinese Road, a small community located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Giving insight into the meeting, Minister Ramraj noted that the community has grown considerably in recent years, going from some 10 homes to a community of more than 200 persons.

“Today we had our first meeting in Chinese Road. It is a thriving community, it started with about 10 houses in 2015 and now there are about 50 houses with about 200 residents here,” he said.

While it is a growing community, Minister Ramraj noted that there are some challenges he has committed to helping to resolve. “Some of the challenges or difficulties faced in that community are water, roads, and lights. They do not have none of those and so we have committed to start building roads within the community,” he said.

The minister noted that among the first steps to be taken will be the construction of roads. He highlighted that work will commence on a crush-on-run road, following a bill of quantities by an engineer. “We will start with crush-on-run roads and this will start. I have asked the engineer to get up the bill of quantities so we can get it done,” he said.

The availability of electricity is another area, Minister Ramraj said work will begin on, with him pledging the addition of 50 solar lights to the community. “I also committed 50 solar lights and by the end of this weekend with the community leaders, they will decide where the lights will be placed,” he said.

Alongside these steps, the ministry will also assess the development of a well in the community. As Minister Ramraj explained, the community currently utilises water from the surrounding creeks. “We have to look at our well because the area does not have any water supply, except for the creeks,” he said. This, the minister noted, represents the most recent step in continued efforts to improve the standard of living for residents of Chinese Road and other communities.

“We will continue to work with these communities here and in every part of Guyana to ensure we improve their livelihood. We bring relief to them so that they can have a better life,” he added.

Echoing these sentiments, Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain noted that the turnout at the meeting highlights the impact of the engagement, as well as the willingness of Guyanese to speak to and work alongside the government.

“I think because of the amount of persons that respond to the meeting, I think the cabinet outreach has been doing tremendously for the people of Region 10. I think their response shows that and I think they welcome us here with open arms,” he said.

The meeting also served to enlighten the community on various opportunities and developments. “I’m happy to let you know that we also enlightened them about the Guyana Development Bank.

Minister Ramraj was very fluent in explaining what needs to be done to ensure that they tap into these benefits that the government is providing. Also, we spoke to them about the GOAL scholarship. We also spoke to them about what we will be doing,” he said.

The commitments made by the minister and the ministry highlight the impact created when on-the-ground engagements are held. Furthermore, Hussain noted the highly positive response from the community reinforced the need for, and willingness toward, continued engagement.

He noted, “Minister Ramraj made some commitment, and I am happy that the response there was so tremendous,” he said.

Moreover, Hussain added that bringing services to the people is a vital part of the way forward for continued successful governance. “I think His Excellency the President is reaching out and bringing the government to the people, and this is the way forward for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic,” he emphasised.