The inability of Region Two’s farmers to access water for their farmlands was among the complaints members of government heard during a public outreach at Perth, Essequibo Coast yesterday.
The “Meet the Public Day,” which was the second of its kind being conducted by the Ministry of the Presidency, was led by State Minister Joseph Harmon, who was accompanied by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.
Speaking briefly to a crowd at the Perth Unity Park, Harmon said it would provide an opportunity for residents to raise all their concerns. “Representatives from the Ministry of [Social] Cohesion, Ministry of Citizenship, Civil Defence Commission, Department of Public Service and all other ministries are here today. We are in the position to deal with whatever concerns that you may have,” he said.
The event was well attended by residents, who sought to use the opportunity to share their views and concerns with the government officials. Among them were Mr. Maharally (only name given), of Maria’s Delight, Essequibo Coast, who said that he was not able to pump water into his rice lands because of the silt that is in the main canal that leads to his lands.
“Water can’t pass the canal because it get a lot of stuff inside. The region take a machine in there to dig it after I gone into them but they put the machine the wrong place so we still ain’t getting water. This morning I went to see but it is still the same,” he said.
“I have 175 acres of land and I am calling on the regional administration to look into the matter. I talk to the REO [Regional Executive Officer] and he even went to see. My crop is at two months and six weeks and if I ain’t get water, I will lose all my crop. I am here today to ask them for some kind of assistance before I lose all my crop,” he added.
Another farmer, Derick Austin, of Jacklow, Pomeroon River, highlighted water woes being faced by residents of the Upper Pomeroon.
“Our farms are dry because of the salt water from the Pomeroon River and this causes diseases with plantain and other crops. I spoke with someone and he said he will speak with the REO about my concern and if it cannot be helped at a regional level, then it will be forwarded to higher authorities,” he explained.
Austin noted that there is a pump at Tapakuma on the coast that is connected to the Pomeroon River and he said it is “sucking the sweet water” from the Pomeroon.
“Because of this, residents are left with no water that can be used for everyday activities. To counteract this issue, we want GUYWA (GWI) to service the Pomeroon River with fresh water because there’s a pump at Charity but it is not in operation. If that pump is put into operation, it will greatly help to ease our water woes. We are calling on the government, if it is possible, to provide us with black tanks which we will fill from the pump at Charity then take it into the Pomeroon on pontoons in an effort to source the area with water. Right now, residents are in a dilemma because we have to purchase water to do everything and since the rain isn’t falling, it makes it much harder,” he further explained.
Access to land
Betty Benn, of Charity, said that one of the issues she raised was access to land at Charity.
“Several residents of Charity were told that permission was granted by the NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] to occupy land in an area in Charity. After persons heard that, everyone went and started chopping down the bushes on the land. I was the one who encouraged everyone who did chop the land to go into the Land Office, which we did. We were told that it is illegal to squat but, however, the land can be used for farming. We were told to go through the right procedure to get access to the land. We were told to apply through the Lands and Survey Department and the NDC and that every individual should write a letter to the office and they would get back to us,” Benn noted.
“All that was done so we are here today to hear what would be the outcome. We spoke with someone here who said that we will have to go into the office at Anna Regina next week and we will be told what further steps to take,” she added
Also in attendance at the outreach was Annette D’Oliviera, a nurse, who said that she was seeking payment that was denied to her after she was injured on the job a few years ago.
“I was on leave after I got in the accident that damaged my knee and I… didn’t get paid for three months. After I had to go in extra expense to travel to Georgetown and all of that, then they paid me for only two months. I asked why I only get paid for two months but they said that I could only get two months. I was injured while on the job so I don’t see how come I only get paid for two months. I am here to voice my concern because I would like something to be done about it. I am claiming for one month’s pay,” she said.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Nagamootoo said the outreach was part of an “open governance” system being introduced by the coalition government.
“We were elected by the people and we are responsible for the people so it is in this vein we are doing these outreaches. We have to listen with your ears and see with your eyes. We have to speak with your tongues because you are the reason we are here. President Granger and I have teamed up on this mission to introduce in Guyana a new system called open governance. We are not here in boardroom situations making decisions that would affect your life but we are coming to you to hear from you what your concerns are. Part of the outreach is to be able to hear from you so that when policies are made, it will be policies that involve your interest. This has nothing to do with party policies. We are your government and we are here for you,” he said.
