Press Release – Agri. Minister hands over sewing machines to Albion Community Centre Sewing Group
The Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha during a recent visit to Albion Estate, handed over six (6) sewing machines to the Albion Community Centre Sewing Class.
While offering brief remarks, Minister Mustapha encouraged the group to make good use of the machines to benefit both them and the community.
“We are currently faced with a pandemic and are looking at ways to keep our communities actively involved in recreational activities. As the Minister of Agriculture, I would like The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to be in that field so that we can help the community rather than just be involved in the production of sugar. This is why Government is putting so much energy to revitalise, recapitalise and resuscitate the sugar industry,” Minister Mustapha said.
He added that as the largest single employer in the country, the Corporation must maintain its environmental, social and economic impact across the country.
Citing the provision of community services through primary health care and the maintenance of drainage and irrigation systems, Minister Mustapha underscored the need for GuySuCo also to ensure it maintains the leading role in skills development.
“These sewing machines will be used to produce facemasks so that they can be distributed within your communities to assist with curbing the spread of COVID-19 while compensating students in the form of a stipend for their hard work while improving their skills,” Minister Mustapha said.
The subject Minister also said that with the Government’s support and the new management of GuySuCo, the Corporation would play an all-round developmental role for the people in the country, not only to the Albion Community Centre but across the various communities.