President Granger helps schoolchildren in Lower Pomeroon - hands over new boat and 200hp engine donated by businessman/miner Alfro Alphonso.
PRESIDENT David Granger has handed over a new 25-foot boat equipped with a 200hp outboard engine to residents of the Lower Pomeroon River to help transport their children to and from school.Speaking on Friday afternoon to a large and colourful crowd at the handing-over ceremony, held in front of the Alfro Alphonso five-storey supermarket complex at Charity, the President began his address by saying, “This is the day that the Lord has made, and it is a thanksgiving day at Charity!”
The large crowd that flocked the river dam and concrete river defence structure erupted into loud applause; and more clapping erupted as President Granger said, “It doesn’t matter which party you voted for on May 11, I am President of all Guyana!”
President Granger disclosed that the boat and 200hp engine were donated by popular businessman and miner Mr Alfro Alphonso of Charity. He thanked the Alfro Alphonso family for the donation, and said the company, established some 38 years ago was giving back to the society.
The President said the idea to have a school boat for the Lower Pomeroon riverine communities came from the people themselves. He said the residents had told him that their children were experiencing hardship commuting to and from school to get an education, while he was visiting the Pomeroon during the recent election campaign period leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.
President Granger said his job now as President is to find out the needs of the people and deliver those needs to them. He termed the boat an investment in the people and their children, and he said that the investment would pay dividends in time to come.
ECIS
The President said the “Each Child In School” (ECIS) policy is very important, and he called for every child to go to school. He told the residents that if one boat is not enough, a second boat would be sent, but no child must stay at home. He assured residents that if a child doesn’t have text books, school uniform or food, the Government would provide same. He said children now have opportunities to go to school.
Before commissioning the 25-foot shed boat, along with the 200hp outboard engine, the President said it is a thanksgiving day for him at Charity, and he thanked the Alfro Alphonso family for making that donation towards the development of education in The Pomeroon. He said the people did not ask for a five-star hotel like the Marriott, they simply asked for a boat to transport their children to school, so they could get an education; and he has responded by giving them a boat.
The President and First Lady Mrs Sandra Granger, accompanied by businessman Alfro Alphonso and a large crowd, commissioned the new boat at the edge of the Pomeroon River. Mrs Granger poured water from a coconut onto the bow of the boat to officially commission it.
The President and First Lady, accompanied by several children, were also given a drive in the new boat along the Pomeroon River.
Businessman Mr Alfro Aphonso assured the President that he would be responsible for the maintenance of the boat at the end of every school term. The boat, named “David G” after President David Granger, is painted in colours of yellow and green. The cost of the boat and engine was not available to the press.
Rajendra Prabhulall in E/bo
