Rapid Impact Project to address urgent community needs
─ funds small community projects including roads, playgrounds
─ Cove and John’s residents urged to take advantage
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, July 6, 2019
The government has established a Rapid Impact Project (RIP) aimed at funding small scale infrastructure projects implemented to address urgent community needs. These projects included upgrading of roads and community playground.
This was reported by Minister of State, Dawn Hastings- Williams, during a community engagement at the Cove and John’s Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI). Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock and Minister within the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe were also present.
During the interactive session, the residents of the agricultural community put forward questions regarding their drainage, roads, water and the upgrading of the community playground.
Minister Hastings-Williams explained that the RIP initiative funds small projects that cost under $1Million. The community playground and some parts of the road can be done under this programme.
She explained, “these projects should have never been the focus of the central government that is the mandate of the NDC’s and the CDC’s… but we have failed in that area, and as a government we started the RIP meaning, these are some low hanging fruits, little maintenance, fencing, repairs and so on.”
Minister Hastings-Williams explained that emphasis is being placed on upgrading playgrounds in every community. This, she said, will have a significant impact on the youths within the various villages who will have a safe space for recreational activities. She, therefore, urged the village leaders to submit proposals to benefit from the initiative.
As it relates to the drainage and irrigation issues, Minister Allicock contacted Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder who committed to sending an engineer to assess the situation. The water issues will also be addressed soon by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Minister Allicock urged the residents to put their political differences aside and work for the development of the community.
“We have to work towards changing the mindset of the people. We cannot continue to place this hate game; we have to bring back that respect for one another.”
Further, the minister explained that there are three levels of Government, the National, Regional and Local, all of whom has the mandate to work towards the development of the people. He then urged the local democratic organ to work in partnership with the other stakeholders to achieve that one goal.
Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe also promised to make representation for streets lights in Oil Mill road.
Cove and John is a small community established in the 1960s. It has a population of over 500 residents.
Images: Keno George