“Together we stand, divided we fall”
─ says Container City resident in response to Min. Patterson self-help proposal
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, November 14, 2019
“Remember, unity is the foundation for survival. Together we stand, divided we fall,” said Morvin Spencer, a farmer within Container City.
These comments were heard after Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson proposed a self-help project to enhance the community.
With 36 years of carpentry and masonry under his belt, Keith Harris told the Department of Public Information (DPI) he is eager to put his shoulders to the wheel to assist in beautifying the community located just behind a John Fernandes Limited facility on Mandela Avenue.
“I’ll be getting involved with the people in the area once we see materials [arrive],” the multi-skilled resident said.
He also plans on ensuring other young men in Container City join the self-help project.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Quincy Letlow, who has welding experience but has faced some difficulties during his job hunt, stated the self-help works will be of good financial assistance to him. In an invited comment, Letlow expressed, “I feel happy that I get a job to help my family.”
These comments came after Minister Patterson had an engagement with residents of the community on Thursday.
During that session, Minister Patterson said, “the first thing we can do is to give you the timber so that we can build better bridges.”
In addition to rehabilitation of the small bridges in the community, Minister Patterson pledged to send machinery to clear the trench that borders Container City. Nails, cement and other materials will also be donated by the Public Infrastructure Ministry to reconstruct the frequently commuted walkway in the neighbourhood.
To further beautify the surroundings and to make it more inhabitable, Minister Patterson committed to the installation of street lights on the GPL poles within the community.
Container City is not the first community to come together under Minister Patterson’s stewardship to conduct self-help works. Throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, citizens have heeded to the call by the minister to become more involved in community work and to build their neighbourhoods from within.