On Tuesday Brigadier David Granger, Leader of the People's National Congress and Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC, attended a public meeting with roughly ...125 residents from the Indigenous communities of Kamarang, Waramadong, Paruima, and Warawatta.
The meeting was held at the Kamarang Sports Ground and began with a number of formal presentations made by representatives of the four communities.
The issues raised in the presentations were diverse and included, but were not limited to,
trafficking in persons and child prostitution;
high cost-of-living due to the need to bring in supplies via small aircraft; the need for banking facilities;
guarding against the negative effects of development;
and demarcation of lands.
Granger replied that APNU has been articulating positions on most, if not all, of the issues that were raised since its formation four years ago.
To underscore this he presented booklets that he had authored on youth, hinterland development and the Tenth Parliament for the representatives present to disseminate within their communities upon their return.
He said that while his government would be proactive in addressing the many concerns that were expressed that was ultimately needed was strong local government.
Granger said that his vision was that the ten administrative regions would have a level of strength and independence somewhat akin to states in the USA;
establishing Bartica as a municipality and capital of the region,
he said, was the first step in supporting this vision.
