Communities and govt have to work together – Min. Sarabo-Halley
─ ministers engage with residents at grassroots level
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott on Wednesday evening, listened to the voices of residents of Plaisance and surrounding communities who showed up to a meeting with the ministers to have their issues addressed.
Minister of Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.
The two government officials were part of a larger ministerial team who conducted community meetings in various villages along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). These engagements form part of the government’s effort to engage citizens at the grassroots level.
Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott.
Before making her way to the Plaisance Primary School, where Minister Scott later joined her, the Public Service Minister conducted a walkabout in the community where she was briefed on areas of development as well as some issues faced by the Plaisance residents. Residents took the opportunity to raise their concerns with her during the walk, and in some instances, she stopped at homes to greet and listen to the challenges of the people. Throughout her walk, she encouraged residents to come out to the community meeting.
Over at the primary school, scores of residents packed the upper flat of the building as they wasted no time in voicing their concerns to the ministers. Their issues ranged from the need for improved street lighting to drainage clearance, and some even raised the matter of incarceration of youths. The residents were assured that careful note was taken of their concerns, which will be relayed to the subject ministers.
However, she explained that while there are certain expectations of the government, the citizens have to play their part too. She further encouraged them to bring about change in their community, and they need to be accountable.
“We have certain things that we expect of government, and there are certain things that government should do for us, and we have a right to have those expectations but at the same time… there are things we need to do as a community that we have stopped doing, and if we get back to that, it will be a better place,” Minister Sarabo-Halley said.
She encouraged the residents to build on cooperation amongst themselves as she urged the youths to take up the mantle of leadership.
Meanwhile, Minister Scott echoed similar sentiments encouraging the youths to speak out and to play their role in transforming Guyana.
Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan