President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, today visited the communities of Adventure/Silver Hill, Kairuni, Loo Creek, Tigerbone Banakari, Swan, Kuru Kuru College, and Kuru Kururu, all located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway where he distributed 1,100 hampers containing food and hygiene supplies. The communities of Laluni, St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri, and River’s View (Demerara River) are also beneficiaries of the hampers.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali interacting with residents – Photo Credit: OP
In his remarks to the residents, the President said this is just one of the initiatives that the Government has taken to reduce the adverse effects of the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on citizens.
“We have brought help for you and for the families in these communities, but this isn’t all there is to it. We intend to announce some other household measures by the end of the week, which can bring back some vibrancy to the economy and put back money in peoples’ pockets and in the communities.”
The Head of State said while he desires to visit every community across the country, he wanted, mainly, to return to these lesser-known villages as they too are enduring numerous challenges, which require attention.
Meanwhile, residents were eager to meet with the President, and many of them noted that this is the first time that a sitting Head of State had visited. The villagers also applauded the Government’s approach to grassroot engagements so soon after taking office.
Glenis Prescott, a resident of Silver Hill, was emotional as she noted that this is the first time the community had seen a President on the ground interacting with residents. Prescott said too that the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected her family, and the President’s assurances, as well as the hampers, are most welcomed.
“This will be a real great help to me and my family. I have a husband and four kids, and it has been really tough for us during this period,” she explained.
Kavita Ramdial also warmly welcomed the President, saying that she had spent all her life at Silver Hill but had never before been fortunate enough to witness a President visiting the village.
“I am happy to meet the President, take a picture with him, and being able to be so close to a President. I cannot truly express how I feel today. I am just happy,” Ramdial noted.
Jacklyn Williams of Kairuni also noted that this is the first time a President has set foot in that village. However, she indicated that it is even more significant for villagers since the President took along members of his Cabinet to address their concerns.
“This is the first time someone from the Government came here and did anything for us. I am 53 years of age, and I never saw a President here. Nobody ever did such a thing or came here and brought things for our community, so I feel very happy about this. We are happy to see him doing something for our community,” she asserted.
Susan Samaroo of Tigerbone Banakari commended President Ali, noting that he has demonstrated that he is a man of the people and has their best interests at heart.
“To me, he seems to be a down-to-earth man, and we are grateful that he is here with us today to lend some assistance and to also listen to the concerns of the people. The residents are pleased, and we look forward to seeing action from him,” Samaroo concluded.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The funds used to secure these hampers are from taxpayers’ monies.
