“The people have responded!” – Govt lauds ‘largest outreach ever’
― the administration has transformed itself into a “mobile govt”
― close to 1,000 in attendance thus far
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, April 28, 2019
The government has lauded what it described as the largest outreach thus far. Currently being held at the National Track and Field Centre, Edinburgh, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), the event officially commenced at 10:00hrs today.
The event, organised to listen to the concerns of citizens, has seen a massive turnout of residents from across the region.
Minister of State-designate, Dawn Hastings-Williams expressed her amazement at the huge turnout.
“I believe that this is the largest turnout to the government’s outreach to the various regions and I am happy that the people have responded. It tells me that they have concerns that they want to bring to the ministers.”
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said the administration has transformed itself into a “mobile government.” He said in “these parts” the opposition-controlled Local Democratic Organs (LDOs) have been withholding information from Central Government.
“We have decided to bring the government to the people here. People have suggestions on how to better the region and we are going to take their suggestions.”
Minister Ramjattan said every citizen should be identified and their contact information collected so that the respective agencies can do follow-ups, especially if their issues are not immediately addressed.
“I am very impressed by the numbers. We are glad that people are turning out and we are dealing with all their issues,” he said.
Minster of Communities, Ronald Bulkan said he is pleased to be a part of the outreach in a region considered to be the “best side.”
Represented under his ministry are the Local Government and Sanitation Departments, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), which has been pulling much of the crowd across the regions.
He said the government inherited a considerable amount of challenges in the region by a programme developed by the former administration; a programme that has saddled the current government with a hefty infrastructure cost. The government will also have to find funds to develop areas for persons who were disenfranchised under the previous administration.
“I am happy to be here, and I look forward to the opportunity to interact with residents one on one and hear from them on their issues.”
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma said government remains committed to all people of Guyana. Today, he said, residents of Region 3, have most of the government agencies present to address their issues
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder said Region 3 is a known agricultural area, with special focus on crops like plantain and banana and pineapple. The region, he said, produces 20 per cent of the nation’s rice. The expectation today is for farmers to express their concerns in this regard.
Alexis Rodney.
Images: Ameer Sattaur.