On Wednesday, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, accompanied by Members of Cabinet and other Government officials, visited several communities along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to engage with residents and provide much needed relief for those affected by the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali along with residents of Soesdyke-Linden Highway – Photo Credit: Office of the President
During the discussions with the residents, President Ali assured that a wide range of interventions would be announced to bring relief to vulnerable communities across Guyana before the end of the week. While the exercise aimed to identify the challenging issues, the President said a high-level team would soon be appointed to provide redress more comprehensively.
“We will come up with a master list (of issues) plaguing the communities, which a task force will address. This activity will give us an idea of the magnitude of work your Government is expected to deliver on,” President Ali said.
The President and his team visited several communities, including Silver Hill, Kairuni, Loo Creek, Tigerbone Banakari, Kuru College, and Swan, where he assured those gathered that his Government stands firm in ensuring that the promises made during the elections campaign will be met. Several priority areas identified were access to potable water, electricity, health services, jobs creation, land allocation, and access to education for children in vulnerable communities.
“We are pleased to be back here with you, and we want to work with you and reach out to all of you, including the young people, to be a part of the developmental agenda. We remember the promises that we made to you. We want to be able to understand your needs and to work with you in finding long term solutions,” the Head of State said.
President Ali assured residents that the officials would take the necessary action to ensure that the Government meets the people’s needs. He also committed to ensuring that the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, is briefed on the critical issues affecting the communities’ children’s access to education and learning material, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The President assured that interventions would be made to ensure that the education system benefits all of Guyana’s children.
The President reiterated that no effort would be spared to address the issues plaguing the various communities. President Ali also extended greetings on the occasion of Amerindian Heritage Month and reminded residents of the recent strides made in recognition of the contributions of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana.
“I want to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy Amerindian Heritage [Month] and to say that you can be proud that five talented Amerindians were sworn-in as Members of the National Assembly to comprise the 12th Parliament as well as the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Lenox Shuman who is also of Amerindian descent,” the President said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hugh Todd; Minister of Housing and Water; Collin Coral, Minister of Local Government and Development; Nigel Dharamlall, and Advisor to the President on National Security, Captain Gerry Gouveia, also used the opportunity to assure the residents that the Government will address, at the earliest possible time, their immediate concerns relating to the access to essential services and security.
A smaller team of officials also distributed hampers at Yarowkabra and Waiakabra. The officials said they intend to ensure that all persons benefit from the country’s development equitably. Captain Gouveia also lauded the Administration for the strides made in ensuring that their promises of an inclusive Government are met.
“This Government has brought young people into Government and included the Private Sector. You promised and delivered on inclusivity,” he said.
A total of 1,100 hampers were provided for the communities named above. Today’s distribution exercise will be in the communities of Laluni, River’s View, and St. Cuthbert’s Mission/Pakuri. On Monday, the President and his team also visited several communities in East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) to bring much needed relief to residents enduring challenges due to the pandemic.
