Six-member Ministerial group interacts with Region 2 residents - Addresses their concerns
Georgetown, GINA, June 23, 2012
Minister in the Ministry of Local Government Norman Whittaker greets a resident at Cotton Field
Part of the PPPC government’s policy of good governance has been its strategy to reach out to the citizenry as this gives it a better understanding of residents’ needs and influence the planning of its development agenda. The latest outreach activity was to Region Two where six ministers fanned out to engage residents.
Ministers of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud, and Norman Whittaker, Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, Public Works Robeson Benn, Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy interacted with residents in several villages such as Good Hope, Lima, Cotton Field, Supenaam, New Road, Anna Regina, Better Success and Mainstay/Whyaka.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud speaks with residents of Good Hope, Region Two during the Ministerial outreach
Residents were told of the implications of the $21B, 2012 budget cuts and the way forward as government will be pursuing the execution of essential development programmes.
Health Minister Bheri Ramsarran explained to residents the reason for the outreach, pointing out that media coverage has portrayed several problems within the Region. He said that these reports had led to the outreach, adding that while the majority of the problems could be solved locally within the various communities, there was the need for residents and officials to work together.
At Good Hope, Minister Persaud reminded residents of their unique ability to live and work together in their ethnic diversities as a single people. The residents took advantage of the outreach to air some of their views and concerns. Some issues were related to river revetment, roads, electricity supply and opportunities for young people.
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn takes a first hand look at the boulder rip-rap sea defence work underway in Region Two
Minister Persaud urged residents to take advantage of the community’s centre ground to organise activities and games for the youths. He also addressed the other issues in a manner that was agreeable to the residents.
There were also complaints that one specific person was attempting to claim lands that belonged to other residents. Minister Persaud gave a commitment to investigate the issue.
At Anna Regina, Minister Benn addressed the issue of ongoing sea defence works and explained that it all could not be done at once. He pointed out that much financial assistance was garnered from donor agencies to execute the works.
At Mainstay/Whyaka Minister Sukhai focused on the slowdown of Amerindian projects due to budget cuts. She focused particularly on the Community Development Plans which have been stalled for a while. However, the Minister noted that while the budget cuts would hamper this and other projects, Government remains committed to the development of its people and would continue to work to complete its planned developmental agenda.
Conducting the exercise with the objective of engaging residents about other areas that are of concern to them, Minister Ramsammy met and interacted with residents of New Road and Lima, Essequibo Coast.
“Among the big contentions that will evolve to greater tensions and will affect us wherever we live is the electricity situation in Linden,” Minister Ramsammy said.
He asserted that the national average consumption is 45 kilowatt, whilst the average consumption for Linden is 150 Kilowatt, “two to three times more than those on the national grid who pay $64 per kilowatt,” Ramsammy explained.
He asserted that government in its 2012 budget estimates sought to bring equality to all citizens by reducing the size of the subsidy for electricity to Lindeners by $2B, and instead use the $2B as payments for the increased pension wages.
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsarran makes a point to Cotton Field residents during the Ministerial outreach
The Agriculture Minister explained that whilst government has over the years tried its utmost to deliver fair services countrywide, irrespective of creed, religion or political persuasion, the opposition sought to destroy such contributions.
During the interaction, residents commended government for what they have done thus far, but asked Minister Ramsammy to bring further relief in the areas of drainage and irrigation; payments for paddy sold to millers and a reduction of the pensionable age, so that farmers will be able to enjoy pension benefits.
In response to their concerns Minister Ramsammy said Government has recognised the plight of rice farmers and sought to put a mechanism in place.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy pays keen attention as a resident explains the drainage issue in relation to sea defence
“Farmers should not be meant to wait so long to get their monies, whilst we recognise that there is a system to be followed, we have worked to minimise the time they wait…additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture has made publications in the newspaper requesting farmers who are owed to come in…we ask that they notify us before or after the deal is made with millers, to ensure they are paid but not many respond to such calls,” the Agriculture Minister asserted.
He added that it is in the best interest for farmers to notify the Ministry of millers who owe them for their paddy, and unnecessary and persistent delays in payment of such monies would be dealt with by the ministry.
“Government recognised the importance of farmers receiving their monies that is why they came to the rescue of farmers…one may remember the case of MRL owing farmers approximately $500M…government assisted by providing MRL with a loan, and paying the farmers directly,” the Agriculture Minister explained.
On the issue of reducing the pensionable age the Minister explained that there have been widespread calls for a reduction in the age that pension is paid. “Government is currently in the process of investigating the sustainability of such a measure should it be implemented,” he said.
The Agriculture Minister explained that urgent drainage and irrigation works will be executed on the Essequibo Coast shortly, specifically at critical areas, and alluded to the situation residents of the East Coast of Demerara face.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai addresses residents of Mainstay/Whyaka during the Ministerial outreach
“During times of severe rainfall those residing on the East Coast of Demerara and West Coast of Berbice experience flooding…the project to bring relief to them (The Cunha Canal Project) was halted when the joint parliamentary opposition voted $1 for the LCDS projects…this mean that during such times they will experience the worst,” Minister Ramsammy said.
Meanwhile Minister Persaud during the outreach also met with residents of Cotton Field who expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the town council of Region Two is not executing the necessary works in the communities, specifically in the vending areas.
The Local Government Minister informed the gathering that he has recognised drainage issues exist because of defective machinery, as such; the ministry had employed a mechanic who will soon visit the area to service the equipment so that works can commence.
“We sat with the Minister of Agriculture and a pledge was made to procure the use of a mini-excavator which will help also with the process of drainage and irrigation,” Minister Persaud said.
Addressing the issue of the town council not executing the necessary works in the communities, the Minister urged persons to pay their rates and taxes, as the monies collected are used by the council to execute such works, therefore if there is poor rate collection, the council will not be able to do all that is required by them, as they only receive a small contribution towards such works from central government.
Budget cuts and way forward
Minister Persaud informed residents that it was government’s intention to ensure that everyone become computer literate, as such developed a programme which will see every family receiving a laptop with internet connectivity along with the requisite training to become proficient in its use.
He added that the joint parliamentary opposition used their one-seat majority in to reduce the budgetary allocation for the One Laptop per Family project to $1.
The Local Government Minister further explained that the projects- the OLPF, Hinterland Electrification Project and the laying of the Fibre Optic Cable- with the latter two falling under the Low Carbon Development Strategy Fund, were also cut from the 2012 National Budget.
“Government also realised that to keep a computer working, electricity is needed…government was not only targeting persons on the electricity grid but also those in far flung hinterland communities with no electricity…the provision of solar panels and the laying of the cable would have seen such people receiving a laptop, electricity and internet connectivity,” Minister Persaud said.
He said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signalled their commitment to assist with developmental projects.
“Government held discussions with the Chinese Government pertaining to the supply of the laptops for the OLPF project and they pledged their commitment…because the budget was reduced to $1 we have asked for and have solicited the help of volunteers who will help in the administrative realms to ensure the project continues to roll out,” Minister Persaud said. The Chinese have agreed to gift 30,000 laptops to Guyana.
He added that government will be continuing with their development programme as best they can, as they realise the need to bring some relief to the people.
By the conclusion of the Ministerial outreach, residents were satisfied that they were afforded the opportunity to meet with the Ministers and have their issues addressed.