Linden is on the move – Min. Lawrence tells Mackenzie residents
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, April 30, 2019
Residents of Mackenzie and surrounding communities were re-assured that government has the town of Linden, and by extension Region 10, as a priority for several developments which have started and will continue. This reassurance was given by Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence who informed the residents of what is in store for the communities.
“I want to say to those persons who spoke about roads that already for 2019 you are going to have in Kara Kara, residents there are going to get a bridge across the Kara Kara creek. You are also going to have the Fraser Road and the Proctor road; those two roads will be fixed.”
The Public Health Minister added that even as other regional projects are executed early, the central government will work with the region to look into other ‘low-hanging fruits’ with budgetary savings.
She also disclosed that street lights will also be installed throughout the town of Linden soon.
“I want you to know that your town council is in receipt of some 300 street lights and those street lights didn’t come with ‘arms’ so the city council had to muster the money, which they did and they now have those arms so those lights could be mounted.”
According to the minister, it has been noted that since coming to office in 2015, the APNU+AFC government has put in place beneficial projects and initiatives for the people. Some of these include pension increases for senior citizens, the provision of free bus services for school-aged children and even more recently for Linden, the introduction of the Linden Broadcasting Network (LBN). This indicates that Linden, Region 10 and moreover Guyana, are “on the road moving forward”.
The minister further noted that that government has embraced a people-centred approach to bringing improvements and development countrywide.
“It’s not just an afternoon for me to come and tell you political things… Since 2015, all of the things we do it always involved the people that is why our mantra is a good life for all.”
It is for this reason, Minister Lawrence detailed, that the government has intensified its efforts in reaching out to communities across the country. This will allow for more persons’ voices to be heard.
“We are also giving people in the community the opportunity to speak with us… Most times the complaints are non-issues. These outreaches have removed the barrier and we want to do it more regularly.”
Two residents, Ronald Barnes and Timeka Bailey highlighted the issues in their community including roads, bridges and other access infrastructure. Also, it was expressed that there is hope for more job and training opportunities be made available to the nation’s youth.
In terms of housing, there was a request for the government to consider rent-to-own-homes for low-income persons since many of them experience difficulties in fulfilling bank obligations. Minister Lawrence said that the issue is already on the Cabinet’s agenda.
It was highlighted that the change which the government continually seeks to bring about cannot take place overnight. Moreover, even as they work to fulfil change, the main objective is to address the root causes of existing issues.
Delicia Haynes.
Images: Marceano Naraine.