Latest update December 11th, 2019 9:43 PM
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, June 30, 2019
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman met with residents of Zeelandia, Wakenaam earlier today where he heard of some of the difficulty they face daily. These mainly include better roads, an improved water system and a re-enforced sea defence.
Community representative Ronald Griffith got the ball rolling at the community meeting where the residents were encouraged to make their challenges known so that the government can make better provisions. Griffith raised that employment in the community was needed. Meanwhile, Baldeo Persaud, a resident, took the opportunity to raise the urgency for repair works on the bridges and roads in the community, “especially the bridge leading to the school”.
Farmer, Yado Nauth made a call for a market for the rice farmers. Rice is among the main produce offered by local farmers. “In the whole Wakenaam island, some plant rice some don’t plant rice, but people on Wakenaam island depend on the rice,” he told the minister.
Acting Headmistress of the Zeelandia Primary School, Al-Benazeir Ahamed urged the Ministry of Education to urgently look into the infestation of bats at the primary school. During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), the headmistress also spoke of the need for trained teachers at the institution as claimed that from last year to now, the school has not had a trained CPCE teacher, only Temporary Qualified Master (TQM).
Expressing his appreciation for the concerns raised, Minister Trotman assured residents that he was there “to listen” and that he would seek to have their matters addressed.
“Certainly, some things will be prioritised and sped up… I can see that your road is in urgent need of repair,” he stated.
Prior to the community meeting, Minister Trotman conducted a meet-and-greet with residents during a walkabout in the community.
Earlier in the day, the Natural Resources Minister, along with other government ministers, paid a visit to the Sans Souci Police Station. This visit is one of many where government ministers have been meeting with citizens across Guyana to get a better understanding of their issues to find solutions.
Image: Giovanni Gajie
