Issues prevailing in Mahaicony to be addressed shortly

GINA, GUYANA, Monday, May 22, 2017

Residents of several villages within Mahaicony, Region Five, can expect a number of issues to be addressed by the end of 2017. This assurance was given by the Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings who met with residents on Sunday, and voiced their concerns on issues affecting them.

Minister Cummings said that based on information she received, capital expenditure works for several structures and other areas within Mahaicony were included in the 2017 budget.

Issues within the Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Local Government sectors were also highlighted during the meeting.

The minister acknowledged that there were pertinent issues within Mahaicony that must be addressed. “I have managed to hear the comments from the persons here… for instance there isn’t a functioning NDC chairman because there was a tie (in the March 2016 Local Government Elections), so that’s a problem, and we have to have that solved.”

Residents were assured that even as the government’s mandate of the good life beckons, they were asked to be patient since the works to address their concerns will require community and regional co-operation.

She highlighted that with respect to issues in relation to drainage and irrigation and infrastructural works; agencies such as the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have received funds from the National Budget to ensure that systems and structures are maintained.

However, the minister pointed out that all information garnered on the various issues will be forwarded to the respective subject ministers for immediate intervention..

Minister Cummings further explained that, “they may have monies to do work, but because of signatories, persons like the chairman outside, they can’t have work done to pay persons, and of course, they have other matters in irrigation, sanitation, health issues, solid waste; for the young people job opportunities and having play parks and we want to see how we can develop this community.”

The Minister also used the opportunity to bring residents up- to- date with some of the achievements the government was able to provide in their two years of government. “… it (achievement) varies from infrastructure works to some works in health, to the 5Bs initiative from our President David Arthur Granger, to looking forward to oil and gas and so forth,” the minister explained.

Meanwhile, there are plans in place, which are expected to be rolled out shortly which will contribute to the development of Mahaicony.

The Minister’s meeting with the Mahaicony residents is one of many scheduled visits to various communities by government ministers. The intention is to reach persons in far flung communities along the coast and riverine areas, and to have first-hand interaction so as to more efficiently address issues at the community level.

The government is also seeking collaboration with regional officials so as to have effective community services delivered to residents.

 

By: Delicia Haynes