Abrams Creek to form Community Development Council

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, July 28, 2019

Residents of Abram’s Creek in the Upper Pomeroon River will soon form a Community Development Council to better address their concerns in a more organised manner.

The villagers recently met with Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe and Minister with Responsibility for Labour Keith Scott during a community meeting.

Among the issues raised, the most pressing was the need for proper drainage of their farm and residential lands. It was highlighted that very often the area experiences spring tides which inundate their lands.

Minister Garrido-Lowe advised them to form a Community Development Council so they could better address the issues. She noted this will help fast track assistance from the various arms of government that can help them fund community development projects.

“Many of these CDC’S are supported by the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs; and, with the presidential grant, for example, kokers can be built. So, when you are slated to receive your grant you must have a development project ready. However, you first must install your governing body – the CDC.

This suggestion was welcomed by the residents.

Minister Garrido-Lowe spoke of the many opportunities that exist in the agricultural sector and urged the residents to venture into value-added products. She also noted that since the current administration took office much progress has been made, demonstrating that the government is working hard ensuring that people’s lives are being touched positively.

In his exchange with the villagers, Minister Scott said looking at the government’s track record of development in just four years persons can deduce for themselves that the administration has been delivering on promises made. He reminded that while there is the expected boost from the imminent oil production there is still a place for agriculture.

“Not only oil will be profitable; your farm will also make you prosperous, your farms equal agriculture and Guyana is an agricultural country. We feed the many places in the Caribbean; many of you in this very area are aware of how many plantains, have been put on boats from here to Trinidad,” Minister Scott said.

He encouraged them to consider forming a farmers’ co-op to expand and develop as farmers.

Other issues raised by the residents include the need for a recreation ground to support sporting activities, additional markets for farm produce, access to potable water and the need for solar panels to electrify the area.

The two government ministers assured the residents that their needs will be addressed since contact will be made with the various agencies and ministries responsible for the different sectors.