Govt officials interface with Demerara River communities

The Local Government and Regional Development Ministry embarked on another leg of its outreaches in the Demerara River where five teams of ministers and regional officials visited and interacted with residents on both sides of the river.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, Local Government and Regional Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Colin Croal engaged with the residents of Low Wood and Princess Carolina, both of which are predominantly farming communities.
Solar panel
While at Low Wood, Croal recalled that the community was visited last November and a request was made for a solar panel for the village’s primary school. That request has since been fulfilled.
He emphasised that during his last visit to the community, it was observed that construction was being carried out on the teachers’ quarters and the health post. He pointed out that thus far, phase one of the project is complete but the fittings and plumbing works are yet to be installed.
Additional staff for both institutions will also be finalised shortly.
Croal emphasised that those projects are investments being made by the government in communities regardless of their location and the challenges being faced. He highlighted that in the region’s work programme, upgrades will be done on the Low Wood Primary school, and it is anticipated that by the end of July, work will start.
While the much needed infrastructure is being put in place, attention also has to be paid on the environment.
This, he indicated is the partnership that is required between the government and the community, that is to keep the environment clean and to ensure that parents send their children to school regularly and the health facility is adequately utilised. Both of these provisions are intended to make the lives of the people better. In this regard, Croal urged the residents to return to the days of community spirit.
Long-term planning
Meanwhile at Princess Carolina, he noted that the Local Government Ministry through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is responsible for the entire country, so anything that takes place in the communities is the business of the ministry.
He indicated that while all the requests and concerns cannot be sorted out immediately, there are some that require long-term planning and budget allocations while others can be dealt with by the residents themselves.
In 2013, the village’s primary school will benefit from repairs. Croal urged the headteacher to collect a copy of the unpriced bill of quantities so as to eliminate the blame game, mis-information and the community would be fully aware of the project.
He emphasised that even though the school’s population is low, government is still investing in the school so as to ensure that every child has access to education and this is in tandem with the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) that targets education.
In relation to agriculture, each of the visiting teams had an agriculture extension officer to answer to the concerns raised in that field and based on the feedback, the Agriculture Ministry will schedule an engagement with the residents.