Unequivocal support for Coalition at Zee Lust Edderton/Mon Choisi
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, November 16, 2019
Residents of Zee Lust Edderton and Mon Choisi villages on the West Coast of Berbice, Region 5 were loud in their approval when Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Basil Williams SC., stated:
“His Excellency, President David Granger, at the helm of the Coalition Government, started a journey four years ago to give every Guyanese a good life… and we are well on the way.”
In a wide-ranging presentation, AG Williams recounted the efforts of the government in providing amenities for a better quality of life in communities across the country – many of which were neglected during the 23-year tenure of the previous administration.
“There is no community in this country that had been previously marginalised in those 23 years where some positive development has not touched over the past four years,” he said. Adding, “…if you didn’t have community streetlights in 23 years, you have lights in quite a few now; if you never had water in 23 years, you have water now; if you never had good streets in 23 years, you have some provided now; if canals were not cleaned in 23 years, they are being cleaned now; trenches and canals are being dug now under our watch.”
AG Williams also drew attention to the provision of transportation – buses, boats, bicycles, breakfast (meals) and books, free of charge to the nation’s children to ensure they have easy access to education.
In more recent developments, he spoke of the increase to the minimum wage.
“In a mere four years, the salaries of public servants have moved from a minimum of $39,500 per month in 2015 when the Coalition Government took office, to the current minimum wage of $70,000, with the increases being granted retroactively from January 2019.”
He reminded the residents of the reality of oil production and urged them to learn as much as they can about the oil and gas industry and its implications for Guyana.
“We are a rich people; that cannot change. The world is excited about the huge quantities of oil in Guyana, and I hope you are excited also. You have bright children, make sure that they are educated so that they can eventually take over the reins of this industry.”
He said: “I urge you to put your best foot forward to ensure that you partake in the patrimony of this country.”
During the community engagement, residents raised individual concerns ranging from the need for extension of potable water supplies to newly occupied areas of the villages, the need for cadastral surveys to regularize the boundaries and alignment of freehold lands in the villages, the need for support for the sports ground and recreational facilities and telephone landlines for5 the community.
The AG promised to alert the various agencies involved in the provision of these services, for them to take action soonest.