Ministerial outreaches are to address prevalent community issues

May 30, 2019

― “We are here to listen, discuss and fix what we can” – Min. Hastings-Williams and Min. Trotman tell Red Village residents

By Stephon Gabriel

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, May 30, 2019

Sharing the platform during their Red Village community outreach, the Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams and the Minister Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman both assured residents that the purpose of their Ministerial Outreaches is not as a campaign, but a direct effort to listen to citizens and remedy prevalent community issues.

Underscoring the many successful outreaches thus far, Minister Trotman highlighted that it serves to discuss the issues of citizens and to relay to President David Granger, the needs of the people of his country.

“This country has a government, led by President Granger. We want this to be more of listening and not talking, we want to go back to the President and say this is what your people want from you. We are here not because we are afraid, running or trying to hide, but we are here to fix problems now and later on,” Minister Trotman relayed.

In the same breath, the minister stressed the law-abiding nature of the President and the APNU+AFC government, noting that the courts are dealing with the current political situation and that the government will respect the outcome of the courts.

Echoing similar sentiments, Minister Hastings-Williams expressed elation about being in the village and being able to better understand the situation of persons in accessing government services among other things.

“We see it as important to bring the government to the people. Wherever you are, it is our duty to bring ourselves to you. We understand the struggle of accessing us and our services and we are here for a purpose, we are your humble servants,” Minister Hastings-Williams said.

She reminded of government’s obligation to support the people and ensuring equal access to all services.

Identifying the beauty of the community, the State Minister boasted of the restoration of local democracy and stated that there must be a gradual movement away from dependence on the central government. Minister Hastings-Williams urged residents to take the development of their community into their hands, and the government will listen and work towards satisfying the community.

This made way for a fruitful discussion between the ministers and residents and saw the raising of community concerns and requests for government’s assistance.

Prevailing all were requests for improved roads, installation of streetlights, and better strategies towards tackling crime in the area. The ministers made undertakings to address and also to refer those they cannot, to other subject ministers.

Upon the meeting’s culmination, the government was lauded by Sheldon Norton and Simone Halls, residents who both expressed their gratitude for the work the government is doing. Simultaneously, they called for the tackling of unemployment and the creation of opportunities to involve community youths.

Red Village is a low-income housing program/scheme constructed by the ‘Food for the Poor’ organisation in Onderneeming. The programme saw the construction of 100 homes. The village is a small community located in the vicinity of Suddie.

Earlier this year, the Government of Guyana ventured on the Ministerial Outreach initiative which has been to five administrative regions so far. This initiative serves as a platform for residents of communities to interact with Government Ministers, voice their concerns, and have their community issues addressed.