Essequibo-Pomeroon Regional Cooperative Union Headquarter building realised!
DPI, GUYANA, Friday 18th May 2018
The Essequibo/Pomeroon Regional Cooperative Union Limited (E/PRCUL) today were handed the keys to their new headquarters building.
The building, located on Anna Regina, comes after a conflict that ensued for a number of years between the E/PRCUL and Ganesh and Poonwattie Jaigobin over encroachment of land and property belonging to the union.
The parties however came to a resolution through dialogue on April 23, 2017, which led to the identification of alternative land and agreement of the Jaigobins to purchase, prepare, then construct the new Co-op Union building.
The Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Keith Scott (Minister with responsibilities to Cooperatives) noted that the ceremony as symbolic rebirth.
The minister stated, “Today is the signal of the rebirth of the co-op movement in Guyana. It is not only a rebirth, but the beginning of a new growth. This is much more than just a cooperative union, it is a spirit of cooperation. It is a spirit that you will now understand and trust, but not only trust, you will have measurable development for you individually because you understand the fundamental principles of progress and that is trust each other and work together in unity.”
Since the building has united the private sector and the Cooperative, the Minister also noted that his ministry will continue to develop the cooperative movement and is prepared to have more collaborative efforts with the private sector.
Continuing on Minister Scott’s point of cooperation was the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon who highlighted that cooperatives are the main elements of Guyana’s quest for social cohesion and they instill greater social responsibility.
Minister Harmon said, “I am also convinced that Cooperatives as are key elements in our quest for true social cohesion in our society. It will also instill in our people a higher sense of social responsibility especially with regard to care and use of public property.”
The Minister of State concluded by saying that it is his view that the cooperate movement can contribute meaningfully to the government’s pursuit of the Green State Development strategy. He added that this will propel Guyana on to a path of sustainable and accelerated development through the establishment of a green economy and state which would provide the good life for all.
By Stephon Gabriel
Images by Anil Seelall