Ministerial Task force begins Region Nine outreach
Georgetown, GINA, May 6, 2016
A Ministerial taskforce commenced a three-day outreach to Region Nine today, to engage with the region’s residents on a number of matters. The outreach is a follow-up to President David Granger’s visit to the region in March during which the President met with the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
At that meeting a number of issues were raised, including unemployment and agricultural development.
The team comprises Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin who is heading it; Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma; Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes; Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings; and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson.
The task force has indicated that Government is committed to regional development and is willing to work with all interested stakeholders in a collaborative effort to address those issues of concern in the region.
The task force is expected to engage with the residents, the Regional Democratic Council, Municipality, Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Village Councils, Rupununi Livestock Producers Association and North Rupununi District Development Board.
The task force has indicated that Government is committed to regional development and is willing to work with all interested stakeholders in a collaborative effort to address those issues of concern in the region. Further, the Rupununi region has enormous potential, which the government has pledged to develop.
According to the Government’s task force, hinterland development is a top priority for the Government because it remains as a disadvantage, depressed and vulnerable zone in spite of its rich natural resources and human capital.
The hinterland also provides opportunities and viable alternatives to the coastal zone and communities under threat from sea level rise due to global warming and climate change.