Promise fulfilled to North Sophia residents
−streetlights and rehabilitation of roads set to commence after cleanup efforts
−private sector agencies will assist in the community’s cleanup initiative
DPI, Guyana, Monday, June 10, 2019
Residents of North Sophia are now equipped with the necessary tools and equipment to commence the cleaning and clearing of their community drains on Sunday, June 9.
This is testimony to a promise made by Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and his team on March 20, to bring relief to the residents via a self-help initiative.
The ministry provided the residents with 12 wheelbarrows, 48 buckets, 28 shovels, 20 forks, 400 bags and 32 rakes among other items.
In brief remarks, Minister Patterson thanked the residents for keeping their promise to cooperate with the ministry to promote development in their community.
“This is just the start and I hope that we have the support of everyone but we are committed to looking into this… hopefully this can be the start of something that can be regular…as I mentioned this is a result of an outreach earlier this year where the residents explained their issues,” he noted.
The minister recommitted to rehabilitation of the roads and the installation of streetlights. This, he said, will commence after the residents complete the cleaning process.
“After meeting you (residents) a couple of months ago, I sent my team to view the roads and you would have seen them…so hopefully we will definitely have the drains clean as you know it is a need and the installation of the streetlights immediately after. Roads works will be the last to follow,” Minister Patterson noted.
In addition to this, the ministry will provide its excavator to assist in the cleaning and clearing of the drains. This includes the support of private sector agencies and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The minister took this opportunity to conduct a walk-about exercise as a way to encourage the remaining residents to join in the cleanup efforts.
The residents thanked the minister and his team for fulfilling the promise.
Images: Marceano Narine