‘Put your shoulders to the wheel’ – Min. Ferguson
―Government has provided the opportunities; more is coming
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Progress was made, and more development is at the top of the agenda for Region Ten through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) with Minister with responsibility for Housing Annette Ferguson at the helm.
Amelia’s Ward, Kwakwani and Ituni are slated as priority areas which will undergo further development.
Issues raised at a community meeting in Speightland On April 30, chaired by Minister Ferguson were, squatting, land titling, road upgrades, the development of the Speightland playfield and more importantly the employment of Lindeners from projects being completed to aid in of development of the region.
Addressing the issue of employment in the region, Minister Ferguson promised to follow up with personnel from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
“It is government’s policy for contractors from out of the region or community to employ persons from the respective areas they are working in. Once there are projects to be complete, people in the community must be notified, because taxpayers’ monies are being spent, we need to know how our monies are being spent,” Minister Ferguson clarified.
The minister reminded the residents of the progress the Coalition Government has made, while emphasising that in order to see development Guyanese must work together.
“Your Government has facilitated the opportunities, but you as individuals would have to, share ideas with us. Your government is doing a lot approaching four years. In order for you to enjoy the good life, let us put our hands together and shoulders to the wheel and work with your government to build a better Guyana, we do not want to go back, the only way we can go forward, is for you to make it possible.”
Previously, the issue of regularising housing and water back in 2015 was brought to the forefront when the Ministry of Communities assured Lindeners that squatting will be regularised. To date, the CH&PA under the reigns of former Minister with responsibility for Housing, Valerie Adams-Yearwood has been pushing housing development in Region 10. This housing project saw, approximately, 60 units constructed in Linden as of 2018.
In 2017, projects were completed in several areas by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) allowing residents to receive potable water and the inclusion of all health facilities receiving adequate water as of February 2019.
Kipenie Jordan
Images: Jules Gibson