President leads team on Leguan visit

Leguan residents got an opportunity to raise their concerns with President Donald Ramotar when he led a team of government officials on a visit to the Essequibo Island on Sunday to share with them the government’s outlook for Guyana.

The visiting team, which included Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, who is performing the duties of tourism minister, and Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber, told residents that it is time to look beyond bread-and-butter issues.
“When we are not able to build every single road, when we are not able to give you as yet treated water… you must take into consideration the bigger picture of what we are trying to do, but we are not neglecting you either,” President Ramotar told the residents during a candid and meaningful meeting at Leguan Secondary School.
Under the stewardship of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Leguan has been transformed from a community that used lamps to one where there is electricity in every household, potable water, a health centre, schools and improved drainage facilities.
An Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre installed with support from the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTC) is today providing ongoing computer training for the islanders, and there is now an effort to attain certificate recognition.
Some residents spoke about the island’s sea defence which needs repairs. In addressing their concerns, Minister Benn spoke about the challenges the country faces.
“What we need to consider is how large Guyana is and how under these circumstances, people in all the communities who have not had services… they have to be attended to… Guyana is a very large country with a low population base and a great extent of the infrastructure has to be maintained,” Minister Benn said.
But the minister assured the residents that a contract would soon be awarded for sea defence works in Leguan, as he implored them to play their part in the protection of infrastructure vital to the community. He also heard some farmers complain that crops would perish at the stelling because of delays in the ferry service.
“The demand on the logistics for shipping in the Essequibo region has grown tremendously only in the space of three or four years I would say,” Minister Benn said.
Rice cultivation on the island has expanded by 50 per cent since 1995 when only 1500 acres of rice lands were under cultivation. Even as some farmers grumble about fluctuations in prices, they were assured that the government will continue to promote a stable economic climate for rice farmers.