Communication important in governance – Min. Lawrence
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, April 28, 2019
Residents of Den Amstel were, this afternoon, charged by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence to be more involved in the development of their community, and to ensure that they communicate with their local leaders, and have their leaders communicate with them.
Minister Lawrence made the observation and statement after looking at the types of issues brought before her and Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, during their community meeting following today’s ‘Government comes to you’ outreach programme.
“Many of the issues are local issues, and because there is a lack of communication, I gather there are no meetings like this with the councillors at the RDC, the NDC and your parliamentarian.”
The residents applauded Minister Lawrence for her observation and admitted that they were not aware of who their respective representatives are and as such, decided to use the meeting to voice what are mostly local issues.
Nevertheless, several concerns were raised among which was the need for a processing facility for different types of produce to be processed and marketed as opposed to being allowed to waste as they currently are.
Minister Holder informed the residents that they are currently working on opening a plantain chip processing facility, one which will be further upgraded and expanded to allow for other forms of processing to be done at the very facility.
Calls were also made for the establishment of an abattoir to cater to cattle being reared within the community, however, Minister Holder explained that while it sounds like a good idea, it was not feasible as to balance the cost of an abattoir they would have to be pushing a certain amount of cattle weekly, a projection which simply is not possible for the community at this time.
Nikosi Bruce.
Images: Ameer Sattaur.