Region Eight REO Ronald Harsawack says residents have benefited from tangible support and contributions that have advanced their livelihoods. He was delivering an address at the community centre on Saturday evening to usher in Guyana 44th Republic Anniversary.
“Last year we saw the completion of miles of roads, new bridges, culverts, schools and health centres… education delivery through our increase budgetary allocation saw pass rates significantly increasing in the areas of Maths, Science, English and Arts,” he said, according to a report from the Government Information Agency (GINA).
The GINA press release made no mention of the Chairman of Region Eight Mark Crawford who has had long-running battles with Harsawack over use of resources and management of the region. Crawford is a representative of the Alliance for Change, the first time the party has held chairmanship of a region.
The REO, according to GINA, also said that school buildings, sanitary facilities, teachers quarters’ and dormitory facilities throughout the region were upgraded and renovated and health services augmented with the training of key and critical personnel. He noted too that at Kopinang, a nursery and primary school and health centre were rehabilitated and the schools equipped with furniture and solar panels.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, who joined Harsawack at the community centre for the Flag Raising Ceremony said, advancements made by the PPP government have restored pride and dignity to the nation. The developments are “moving us from where we were in the gutters” and are advancing the country and rights of all the people including the Amerindians.
“Let us celebrate tonight (Saturday) the fact that the indigenous people in this country are now in a position where they can make decisions for themselves, without unnecessary interference at the level of government,” he said. “We have today Amerindians who are doctors, Amerindians who are engineers, Amerindians who are education officers and Amerindians who are Ministers.
You too have something to celebrate, our achievements in the social services…and though we may not be doing well enough in terms of the village economy, I say to you that Rome was not built in a day and we cannot achieve everything one time, but we will work together with you to ensure more improvements as we go along,” he said.
Whittaker pledged that government will continue to work towards more progress in the education and health sectors and in advancing infrastructure such as roads, transportation and water.
