Government conducts outreach at Ann’s Grove Village
DPI, GUYANA, Wednesday, July 12, 2017
“We are going to deliver, better roads, health, education,” Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes told residents of the community of Ann’s Grove.
Minister Broomes, travelled 20 miles away from her Georgetown office, to the East Coast Demerara community, on Wednesday and met with residents, to listen to their concerns.
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes making a donation of G$50,000 to Representataive of the Anns Grove Farmers Association, Otis Gulliver.
She explained that the outreach is in keeping with the government’s policy of “reaching out to the people of Guyana.”
“Our intentions are to serve you to the best of our ability, and so we are reaching out here into your communities and villages to hear from you and to know what are your concerns. What is it we are not doing? What is it we need to do,” the Minister explained.
During the engagement, the residents raised concerns over the availability of youth and women empowerment programmes.
Roxanne Hanover who lives in the ‘backdam’ area addressed the issue regarding school dropouts and young mothers. “What help can be given to at least some of our young parents, that have two, three and four children and have to wait on these guys that are coming from the interior who sometimes come with nothing? What help can be given to them? How can we help then to better themselves?” Hanover asked.
The minister advised that within the Ministry of Social Protection there are several programmes and projects that speak to youth and women empowerment. She also noted the many opportunities that are avaliable under the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport for women and youths. She encouraged the villagers to take advantage of these initiatives.
Minister Broomes was welcomed with a parade and masqueraders at the head of the community. The minister and her team, before holding the meeting also took the opportunity to walk around the community and interact with the residents. One resident, a miner who is sick received donations from the minister to assist in medications and other personal supplies.
By: Shilohnie King
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes meeting a miner who is now ill and unable to work.
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes responding to a question from a resident.
Residents at the meeting in Anns Grove.