Department of Public Information, Guyana

Tag: Mocha Arcadia

  • Mocha/Arcadia, Perseverance, Prosperity residents grateful for $100,000 cash grants

    Mocha/Arcadia, Perseverance, Prosperity residents grateful for $100,000 cash grants

    Hundreds of residents from Mocha/Arcadia, Perseverance and Prosperity received a financial boost on Wednesday after collecting their $100,000 cash grant.

    Christopher Samaroo described the support as a ‘pretty good incentive’ that would ease household burdens.

    Christopher Samaroo receives his $100,000 cash grant

    He was among many persons who uplifted their cheques at the Mocha Community Centre.

    “A lot of people don’t work for this amount monthly, so I can see how this can assist quite well,” he said.

    Samaroo plans to use the funds to obtain professional certificates and advance his career ambitions. 

    Persons in the community were also served cheques at the Mocha Health Centre.

    Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, assists staff at the Mocha Community Centre during the distribution exercise

    Lashana Guliver said she is thankful for the grant and emphasised the impact it will have on the lives of Guyanese.

    “It is good and it is going to help a lot of us. This is too much for me but I am going to make sure I spend it wisely,” the single mother told the Department of Public Information (DPI).   

    Tracy Thornhill is excited about her $100,000 cash grant

    Tracy Thornhill highlighted some of the challenges many Guyanese face and said the grant will fix some of those issues.

    Urlina Ramjit also spoke with DPI and praised the initiative. She called it a timely intervention for those in need.

    Urlina Ramjit is excited to collect her $100,000 cash grant

    “We have to be thankful for what we are getting and I hope they [the government] can do even more for us,” she said. 

    Senior citizen Patricia Williams plans to use the money to renovate her home.

    “I am doing over my house in concrete and it will help me buy the zinc sheets for the verandah,” she explained.

    Patricia Williams is excited about her $100,000 cash grant

    Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, visited the respective sites to oversee the process and ensure smooth operations.  

    He assured residents that the distribution exercise will continue until every eligible individual has received their benefit.

    The distribution of the $100,000 cash grant commenced in Region Four on Monday.

    Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, assists staff at the Mocha Community Centre during the distribution exercise

    Additional distribution centres along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara and Georgetown will be operationalised this week.

    Earlier this month, the National Assembly approved an allocation of over $40 billion to support the distribution of the grants.

    Happy recipient of the $100k cash grant
  • Farm, Mocha-Arcadia roads gets facelift

    Farm, Mocha-Arcadia roads gets facelift

    Residents of Farm and Mocha Arcadia, 0East Bank Demerara are now beneficiaries of a newly constructed main access roads, fulfilling a commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

    The improved roadway is a major upgrade from the pothole-laden thoroughfare that existed before the president’s intervention back in January.

    During the meeting, President Ali pledged $400 million for road upgrades in Farm, Mocha-Arcadia, Herstelling, and Covent Garden.

    Alongside this upgrade, the Ministry of Public Works’ Special Project Unit (SPU) also improved several other key roads within the community.

    Before and after of Farm main access road, East Bank Demerara
    Road upgrades in Farm, East Bank Demerara
    Road upgrades in Farm, East Bank Demerara
    Ongoing road upgrades in Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank of Demerara
    Road upgrades in Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank of Demerara
    Before and after road upgrades in Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank of Demerara

    The project began on January 11 and concluded on July 3, 2024. It included the rehabilitation of Tank Road, Farm among other interventions.

    The road is now upgraded to asphalt and spans 2,548.5 metres in length and 5.5 metres in width.

    Similar improvements were made to Second Road in Farm, which is 262.1 metres long and 5.8 metres wide, and Second Street, measuring 69.7 metres in length and 4.0 metres in width.

    In Mocha-Arcadia, residents of Barnwell North First Street will soon have first-time access to a robust roadway, following the pouring of concrete on the one-kilometre thoroughfare compared to the derelict road that existed prior.

    The street serves as an important artery for residents to gain access to the community’s farmlands.

    In 2022, the PPP/C Government initially reconstructed 480 metres of Barnwell Road, in addition to other streets in the community.

    These efforts align with the PPP/C Administration’s broader vision of improving community infrastructure while promoting economic development and accessibility.

    To realise this vision, the government allocated a total of $204.1 billion in budget 2024 for the enhancement and expansion of road and bridge networks nationwide.

    Of that amount, a substantial portion of $73.2 billion was earmarked for upgrading community roads.

  • Mocha Arcadia benefitting from Gov’t interventions

    Mocha Arcadia benefitting from Gov’t interventions

    The community of Mocha Arcadia on the East Bank Demerara is positioned to experience sustained development through the government’s initiatives.  

    This is according to the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, who spoke during a public engagement held at the Mocha Community Centre on Tuesday.

    Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy

    The engagement was spearheaded by United States Congressman, Jonathan Jackson.

    In his brief address, Minister McCoy highlighted the government’s dedication to development and commended the collaborative effort that brought progress directly to the community.

    “The partnership that has been extended by this village, especially over the last three years, as we work together to move the community forward, is one that is truly impressive and continues to enjoy our admiration and support as a government,” the minister said.

    The public affairs minister outlined that while Guyana’s achievements are tremendous against global and regional challenges, there is still work to be done to achieve full prosperity.

    He assured that the PPP/C government will continue to work assiduously towards this goal.

    “We have so much to celebrate in terms of our diversity, our ethnic diversity, [and] in terms of our progress and our development and of course the way we are manoeuvring the challenges that exist amongst us as a country… the global challenges and our own internal challenges. Nevertheless, [we are] moving along in the way that many of our Guyanese brothers and sisters are proud of,” he added.

    Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy with United States Congressman, Jonathan Jackson in Mocha Arcadia on Tuesday

    Much like in the rest of the country, the government’s programmes continue to have a positive impact on Mocha Arcadia.

    Infrastructural developments have swept through the community. One such example is the rehabilitation of the Nelson Street bridge and several community roads.

    Farming in Mocha has also received a welcome boost, with agricultural input and equipment delivered to enhance land preparation efforts.

    Education has also been expanded through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programmes, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training, and the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship initiative.

    Additionally, Mocha Arcadia has also indirectly benefitted from ease of transportation and greater connectivity through the construction of the Heroes Highway.

    Meanwhile, Congressman Jackson vowed to be a listening ear for the community.

  • Engineers to assess drainage issues in Mocha – Min. Mustapha

    Engineers to assess drainage issues in Mocha – Min. Mustapha

    – Livestock, crop officers assessing farmers’ losses to provide support

    Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha on Monday met with farmers and residents of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara as a follow-up to a commitment made last Saturday, to address agriculture-related concerns.

    The farmers expressed drainage concerns, noting that the heavy rainfall over the past weeks has exacerbated the situation. To this end, Minister Mustapha committed to deploying a team to assess the situation and coordinate interventions.

    Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

    “The residents are saying that some of the housing development that is taking place is causing some of the back-ups. So, our engineers will be visiting all the areas to see what we have to do to reduce flooding,” he explained.

    The minister emphasised the need for immediate interventions, noting that by the end of the week, systems should be in place to address the issue.

    “We are trying to see what mechanisms and what measures can be put in place here, so by this afternoon I should receive a report from the NDIA to implement a system to see how we can manage it,” he said.

    The minister met and interacted with farmers and residents of Mocha Arcadia

    The agriculture minister related that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is also seeking to put measures in place to facilitate compensation for farmers who were severely affected by the flooding.

     “Our livestock officers and the crop officers are looking to see some of the damage. They are looking to see what the residents have lost, and to see how we can help them as quickly as possible with planting materials and things like that.”

    The minister was accompanied by Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth, representatives from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), GLDA and the Ministry of Housing and Water.

  • ‘We will continue to work with you’ – Min Edghill tells Mocha/Arcadia

    ‘We will continue to work with you’ – Min Edghill tells Mocha/Arcadia

    Residents of Mocha /Arcadia, East Bank Demerara have been assured by Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, that the government remains committed to the development and livelihood of all Guyanese.

    Addressing residents during a community at the Mocha Community Ground, Minister Edghill said the government wants to bring resolutions to residents’ concerns.

    Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill with one of the residents of Mocha Arcadia

    “Whenever we come out in meetings like these, and we engage people, it enlightens us of what are the real felt needs of the people. And in a cordial conversation, you can inform policy-makers and decision-makers of the real needs of the community…So, this is just another series of engagements, here in Mocha, to help us appreciate and understand what needs to be done, how it would benefit people, and how we could improve your lives and your livelihood.”

    He said the government needs the support and cooperation of the people to advance developments just as the people need the support and interventions of the government to realise their aspirations.

    One of the residents raised his concern at the meeting

    “The prosperity of Guyana is for all Guyanese. The resources of Guyana are for all Guyanese. And we invite you to the table of benefits by ensuring that we understand how it works, you follow the process so that you could benefit. And we could have the One Guyana that we are talking about.”

    The minister emphasised that the Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali-led Administration cares, which is why the government visits the communities to meet the people wherever they are, “the PPP/C Government, we are in every community, in every region, in every corner of Guyana. And we are serving the people of Guyana in keeping with our oath that we took, without fear or favour.”

    Residents were assured that the government will continue to develop and improve the country’s infrastructure, as Minister Edghill alluded to the recent rehabilitation of Burnham Boulevard in the village, to the tune of $59 million.

    A section of the gathering at the community meeting

    He said the government is paying specific attention to expanding traditional and significant sectors in Guyana including tourism, biodiversity services, climate services, agro-processing, capacity in forestry, and expanding gold.

    Minister Edghill reiterated that as the government works to develop the country, everything is being done to ensure development for everyone.

  • ‘The journey has just begun’

    ‘The journey has just begun’

    – Public Service Minister tells NGSA top performers

    The top 10 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) performers from Mocha Arcadia and Barnwell North were on Saturday morning rewarded for their efforts during an awards ceremony at the Mocha Arcadia Community Centre.

    The awards ceremony was organised and conducted by the Mocha Women on Track community development group.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag, urged students never to stop the learning process, as this is far from the end of their journey to success.

    “We know that when we have worked hard for a few months and dedicated ourselves, we tend to down the tools and just lay there for the next few months, but the journey has just begun…. It becomes more competitive and more challenging. So, you have to now rise to that occasion once more,” she said.

    Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag addressing awardees on Saturday

    The minister urged students not to let their circumstances define their identities, or the things that they can achieve, irrespective of any challenge they may encounter.

    “We all have that in life no matter where we’re going and what we’re trying to achieve, but you have made it this far.”

    The minister also commended the two communities for their role in the success of the students.

    “In your community, you have your dedicated teachers, you have your parents, your neighbours and all those well-wishers in your community who push you, who challenge you, and even when you think they’re punishing you, they are challenging you to do your best,” she remarked.

    Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag with the top ten NGSA performers

    Minister Parag told the students to value their education, as it would take them to many places in life, and charged them to work hard for their success.

    She said there is no secret or shortcut to success.  As a result, she encouraged them to work hard to achieve their academic goals.

    “[Your education] is something you can hold as a valuable possession that no one can take from you. And by your commitment and dedication to pushing yourself, to doing the best that you can do and pushing yourself, it says that you can be even better. It says that you can rise above any challenge and make it.”

    The awardee were urged to continue reading and not to succumb to peer pressure.

    “Show them you can do well…. We are very proud of you,” she said.

    Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag with members of the Mocha Women on Track community development group

    Top performer, Deshaun Garrrick, who scored 509 marks at NGSA, will be attending Queen’s College, and Annaldo LaRose, who scored 495 marks, will attending St. Joseph’s High.

    Celina Beckles, who scored 488 marks, along with Shonia Penniston, who scored 482, Lennox Thornhill who scored 475, Senika Crandon who scored 465, and Rhema Cooper, who scored 467 marks, will all be attending the New Central High School.

    Jashoun Ward, however, who scored 455 marks, alongside Hosenia Moses, who scored 434 and Felicity Isaacs, who scored 440, will attend Charlestown Secondary School. Also present at the ceremony were the Director of Public Affairs within the Office of the Prime Minister, Michael Gordon, former Senior Education Officer, Walter Alexander, among other special invitees and members of the Mocha Women on Track group.

  • Racism, discrimination allegations have no basis

    Racism, discrimination allegations have no basis

    – Public Service Minister

    The PPP/C government has had a track record of taking the welfare of all Guyanese into account at all times, and any claims of racism or discrimination, therefore, have no basis.

    These statements were made by Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag, during an interview on the sidelines of a recent event.

    Responding to allegations made against the administration by the opposition, Minister Parag highlighted that the work of the PPP/C spans across the length of Guyana.

    Recently, the Leader of the PNC, Aubrey Norton, claimed that the PPP/C was prejudiced against Mocha Arcadia residents due to the majority being Afro-Guyanese.

    “We don’t discriminate against any community…. Every programme that has been rolled out has been for the benefit of all Guyanese across the 10 administrative regions,” Minister Parag stated.

    She noted that programmes and projects implemented by the ruling party, which include housing, infrastructure, scholarships and agriculture, have catered to every class of Guyanese, irrespective of race, ability or location.

    “All the statistics are there to prove for themselves, so you know, the talk of discrimination is really just a narrative for people to buy into so that they can have some sort of relevance,” she said.

    Further, she highlighted ongoing works in Mocha Arcadia as evidence of the government’s works in the community.

    “Thousands of persons are going to be benefitting from the new Barnwell Road that is going to be built. We have had the Burnham Boulevard that has been [commended] by many residents residing on that road…. The residents were quite happy, and we are quite happy with the finished product.”

    The Burnham Boulevard was recently commissioned by the President Dr Irfaan Ali, during an outreach to the community with other ministers of government.

    During that time, they addressed pressing issues and concerns, as well as challenges faced among residents of the community.

    “Likewise, we are doing the same thing across the country. Different ministers of the cabinet as well as His Excellency, the Vice President, and our honourable Prime Minister. We have been going across the country to let residents know of the programmes that are being rolled out, and the initiatives that are being rolled out…. So, it matters not where you live, it matters not your ethnicity,” Minister Parag said.

    Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag

    She reiterated that the discrimination card is one constantly used by the opposition to create division, but has never had any foundation of truth.

    “Again, our stats are there to prove that we have been catering, and will continue to always cater for the welfare of all Guyanese,” she said.

    Addressing AFC Member of Parliament, Nima Flue-Bess, who undermined the work of the PPP/C government in Mocha Arcadia, Minister Parag once again touched on additional projects implemented by the PPP/C Administration.

    These included an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training hub and drainage works conducted by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) under the Ministry of Agriculture; despite it being the responsibility of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

    Thirteen of the 16 persons who partook in the ICT hub were later contacted for employment by a customer service Agency.“So, quality work is ongoing, and we will always commit to giving quality programmes and quality benefits to our people.”

  • Recreational ground to be rehabilitated at Mocha Arcadia Primary

    Recreational ground to be rehabilitated at Mocha Arcadia Primary

    The Mocha Arcadia Primary School will soon benefit from rehabilitative works on the recreational ground in the school’s compound.

    This was announced by Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag during her visit to the school on Wednesday.

    Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag

    “The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Minister Charles Ramson and myself, we were here on this ground, and one of the issues raised was the need for rehabilitation of the school ground. And you would be happy to know that Minister Ramson came with his team to assess the ground so that they can rehabilitate it in the shortest possible time so that it can become fit for purpose,” she told teachers and pupils of the school.

    The ground will be utilised to conduct sports, as well as recreational activities for the entire community.

    The rehabilitation is part of a commitment made by the sports minister and President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a recent outreach to the community.

    “We have to develop this recreational facility immediately…. We need to develop this facility so that our children can play in a safe way,” President Ali had said. Some $192 million has been earmarked for infrastructural development in Mocha.

  • Smart TVs, electric fans for Mocha /Arcadia pupils

    Smart TVs, electric fans for Mocha /Arcadia pupils

    – a commitment by President Ali honoured

    Pupils of the Mocha Arcadia Primary School on Wednesday received 20 electrical fans and two Samsung smart televisions, a promise kept by President, Dr Irfaan Ali.

    The president made the commitment during his visit to the east bank community earlier this month.

    Public Service Minister Sonia Parag (right) handing over the equipment to Grade 6 teacher, Thalia Roberts at Mocha Arcadia Primary

    During the outreach, teachers had raised concerns about students’ discomfort due to the heat, and the need to access educational programmes.

    Handing over the items, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag stated that they will assist in creating a more conducive learning experience for pupils, reiterating the government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind.

    “It matters not what community or region you are from, our children across Guyana mean the world to us. And we will continue to make them and we have always done so, but we will continue to make them a priority in this country,” she said.

    Minister Parag delivers a special gift on behalf of President Ali to a pupil

    A pupil who made a special request to the president also had his request honoured.

    The donation of the equipment is one of a series of commitments the PPP/C Government made to Mocha Arcadia residents.

    Several other projects to improve the community are underway.

  • Mocha Arcadia benefitted from $5M subvention, community enhancement

    Mocha Arcadia benefitted from $5M subvention, community enhancement

    – Min Dharamlall clarifies

    The Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Mocha Arcadia has benefitted from the government’s $5 million subvention, while enhancement staff were hired and excavation work conducted around the community to ensure its beautification.

    This was revealed by Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall, as he responded to spurious claims made by NDC Chairman Rudolph Adams during a community meeting on Sunday.

    President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali cutting the ribbon of the new Burnham Boulevard in Mocha Arcadia on Sunday

    The funding being referred to by the chairman, Minister Dharamlall said, was given to large NDCs that were not part of the massive clean-up exercises through the ministry.

    As such, the minister said the allocations were made to ensure these communities can partake in the beautification of their environment.

    “[When] we were doing the clean up, the big NDCs, that we didn’t do any work in, we gave them some money to do some clean up…many NDCs received it, including opposition-controlled NDCs,” Minister Dharamlall stated.

    However, in the community of Mocha, the minister highlighted that several enhancement workers were hired by the ministry to work within the village, and those workers are being paid by the ministry.

    Further, the ministry was able to acquire support from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to do excavation works in the community.

    This, the minister said, was done following a series of meetings held in the community, from which the NDC Chairman was voluntarily absent.

    “We have done a lot of work. We have enhancement workers that work in Mocha that we pay and that the Chairman sometimes gives a very difficult time to. I was in Mocha, and we did some excavation through the Ministry of Agriculture…those were all initiated in the meeting. However, the Chairman of the NDC has never turned up to any of the community meetings, he is always out of the community,” the minister explained.

    Minister Dharamlall said that if Adams was serious about development in his community, he would ask about the expenditure of the $500 million grant given to the community under the former administration.

    The minister pointed out that upon his assumption of office, many residents lamented the lack of development in the community, although finance was made available.

    “What I would like an investigation of is the $500 million or US$2.5 million that Mocha received for agricultural development from the last government and when I went there, the farmers complained that not much was done and the money was spent. So, that is what the chairman needs to account for,” he noted.