Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson over the weekend visited Kwakwani and Ituni in Region 10 and promised a range of improvements including a paved road come 2018.
GINA said that approximately $100M has been earmarked for critical maintenance work to the Linden-Ituni/Kwakwani corridor. This corridor has been in a bad state for years.
At the meeting held in Ituni, GINA said that residents raised many concerns including; no running water from the tap for the past 30 years; the need for aid with transportation so that children could get to Linden for secondary schooling; the absence of a Neighbourhood Democratic Council and a Community Development Council; the lack of an ambulance to transport patients; appalling conditions at the sanitary blocks for the primary school; government buildings poorly staffed; the need for a resident doctor; the need to have house lots apportioned for residents of the area and a lack of job opportunities.
GINA said that Trotman apologised to residents for the life they have had to endure.
“Now that we are in government, I sincerely apologise. I’m sorry. The concerns raised says you deserve better…government is duty bound to provide a dignified life which you ask for…we are sorry for what you have been through,” Trotman told the residents adding, “As a new government we will bring you the relief you deserve and do our best for you.”
Trotman who is also responsible for the forestry sector, committed his ministry to providing more access to viable species for loggers. Residents who are loggers with concessions will receive at least a 50% waiver of penalties and fees after an assessment is completed, GINA reported.
“This will come with responsibility…care the road you will get, be responsible when you log, do away with illegal logging…this is the new start and fresh approach as it is our country’s Jubilee which says it is a release from bondage…don’t look back but look forward to what can be done,” Trotman stated.
Patterson told the meeting that before the end of 2018 work will be done to deliver an all-weather road as US$5M will be used from a US$63M IDB loan. He said simultaneously an assessment into renewable means of providing electricity will be carried out. He stated that his administration will be placing more emphasis on the development of communities in the hinterland. “However, when you are given substandard work object to it since that is your right as taxpayers,” the Minister cautioned.
Kwakwani
At the meeting held at the Kwakwani Workers’ Club the concerns raised by residents were: the need for a stable price for wood and the possibility of being awarded government contracts; a lack of communication with Georgetown as only one television station could be seen and this was not a local station; the state of the road results in dust pollution and it is unsafe for children; clogged drains and lack of hospital facilities.
Patterson committed to ensuring that there is a blend for the supply of materials to maintain the Ituni/Kwakwani road which will see some materials being sourced from the community.
A Board of Directors drawn from the community would be established to manage the Kwakwani Electricity Company which will be given back to government from RUSAL on March 1, 2016, GINA reported.
Additional commitments were given to residents by Patterson including an investigation into the operations of the barge by the Maritime Administration; the establishment of the resource centre; a Berbice river ferry and the feasibility of road tolls will be examined.
Residents were informed that the Minister of Social Protection will meet with workers to discuss the RUSAL workers matter and that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is working to deliver full television stations to the entire Region 10 which will keep residents updated and informed on what is happening in the city. An industrial dispute at RUSAL has festered for years without being addressed.
Trotman further committed to delivering within two weeks, 10 streetlights funded personally which will be handed over to the village.
