Opposition Leader David Granger charged villagers from three East Coast communities to mobilise themselves to fix certain deficiencies in their areas, even as he acknowledged that central government and the regional administration are mandated to do so.
According to a press release from the PNCR, Granger interacted with scores of villagers during a recent walkabout in Ann’s Grove, Two Friends and Dochfour, East Coast Demerara.
Villagers voiced concerns about rising unemployment and the dysfunctional education system “which is producing an unmanageable number of dropouts.” They also said many of them are small miners who worked in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region and have been systematically “shaken down” by rogue policemen and harassed by armed retainers of rich miners. Many have reportedly been driven away from their claims and are now unemployed.
Villagers also said that they were hampered by poor drainage, bad roads, a lack of adequate street lighting and proper sporting and leisure facilities for youth.
They also pointed out to the Opposition Leader the poorly constructed roads and unfinished bridges that impede the smooth flow of traffic and have an adverse effect on their daily lives.
In response, Granger appealed to residents to organize themselves to protect their environment. He charged them to discourage illegal dumping into canals and along roadways and further challenged the youth at Ann’s Grove and Two Friends to develop proper playing fields in their communities.
The PNCR said Granger was accompanied by Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette, Guyana Youth and Student Movement Chairman Christopher Jones and regional councillors.
