Issues in #53 Corentyne to be immediately addressed
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Samantha Fedee and Community Coordinator in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Neilson McKenzie, Tuesday evening engaged residents during a public outreach in #53 Village (Union), Corentyne, Berbice, Region 6.
The meeting was held at the Community Centre in #53 Village.
Among the issues raised for immediate intervention were electricity for about forty residents, street lights, improved road network and marketing opportunities.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock took the opportunity to highlight the work of the Ministry as well as other programmes and activities being rolled out by the Government to the benefit the Guyanese people.
He spoke of the Hinterland Employment Youth Service HEYS initiative which is meeting its objective in positively impacting the lives of the Indigenous people who he said have been neglected for far too long.
He encouraged residents to “work together and the good life that President Granger continues to speak of will be achieved. Together we can and will be able to have a good life, the coast and the hinterland working together towards realising that dream”.
The Minister also noted that as a people we must be proud “we have so many things that we can do. We can manage businesses, not just buying and selling alone but produce as well; have industries that we can ship quality stuff outside of Guyana”.
He encouraged the residents to invest in agriculture production since it is key to ensuring food security which will also contribute to the national economy. The Minister noted that there is need for more farmers, mechanics, doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, sports men and women.
He challenged those present to “encourage our children to pursue a sound education which will change our mind set and work together to making Guyana number one in the hemisphere”.
Residents requested a bus to transport students to and from school and Minister Allicock committed to engaging other sister Ministries to have this request realised.
Meanwhile, Neilson McKenzie said interacting with residents is crucial and “the coalition under President David Arthur Granger made a commitment to the people of this country prior to taking office and today I was looking at how these commitments are unfolding. The fact that for critical infrastructure we have engaged the people of this country and we are delivering step by step in every instance”.
Following a promise to return, McKenzie from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure led a team to Number 53 Village on April 18 to address the patching of the roads, one of the concerns raised at the outreach.
He also promised to look at “the slope at the school dam (Leeds Primary School) and the road lights that are not working.”