Social Cohesion Ministry hosts sensitisation outreach in Region Seven

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, March 8, 2018

Close to 200 persons from several indigenous villages in Cuyuni Mazaruni (Region Seven) yesterday, participated in a sensitisation and outreach exercise facilitated by the Ministry of Social Cohesion in Batavia.

Minister of Social Cohesion with Responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton.

The team was led by Minister of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton, Regional Chairman (RC) Gordon Bradford, Regional Education Officer (REO) Akbar Chindu and officers from the Ministry. Participating villages include Batavia, Itabali, Karrau, Kalcoon and Kartabo.

The aim of the exercise was to inform residents of the Ministry’s plan to foster a unified Guyana, where every citizen has equality of opportunity . Minister Norton told residents that this is something that he holds close to his heart, and is “determined to ensure is realised.”

“I grew up in a riverine community like this and would know what exactly the situation is here; where your children do not get the best education; you do not get the best medical attention; you do not get the best treatment from your sports officers and so on.  You have a right to get it”, the Minister emphasised.

According to the Minister, the outreach will enlighten the residents about the measures his ministry is putting in place to ensure that all have equal opportunities.

Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford noted that today, more than ever, unity is needed0` particularly on the heels of the claims being made by neighbouring country Venezuela.

Chairman, Region Seven, Gordon Bradford.

Bradford explained that “we are being threatened by an external force and that is our neighbour to the west, who wants to claim more than half of our country or who is claiming more than half of our country. I was in Kaikan about a week and a half ago, His Excellency was there and the children of Kaikan Primary School, sang a song. It brought home to me, forcibly, what would happen if Venezuela gets it way and the song was entitled, “Without Essequibo, what would Guyana be?”

Residents welcomed the initiative taken by the government to ensure they are made aware of what is needed to build stronger communities.  Two such residents are Shane Cornelius and Ralph Jeffery of Batavia.

Giving his thoughts on the initiative, Jeffery remarked, “Our community is in a state of not social cohesion but social erosion. So, we thank you, God has sent you today to enlighten us how we should live as human beings for better development.”

Cornelius said that he is optimistic about the future once all plans by the Ministry are carried out, “Thank you for bringing the sensitisation workshop to the Lower-Mazaruni and thank you for bringing all the communities together. I am really looking forward to working with you and seeing projects rolled out.”

There are plans to organise a social cohesion workshop for  the residents, later this year as the Ministry continues its countrywide sensitisation and outreach exercise.

Residents of Region Seven participating in the sensitisation and outreach exercise.

Residents of Region Seven participating in the sensitisation and outreach exercise.

 

By: Isaiah Braithwaite

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