Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, on Sunday met with Mahaicony residents who voiced their concerns on issues affecting them.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, issues within the Public Health, Public Infrastructure and Local Government sectors were highlighted during the meeting.
“I have managed to hear the comments from the persons here…for instance there isn’t a functioning NDC Chairman because there was a tie (in the March 2016 Local Government Elections), so that’s a problem, and we have to have that solved,” the release quoted the Minister as saying.
She highlighted that with respect to issues in relation to drainage and irrigation and infrastructural works, agencies such as the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricultural Development Authority and the Region Five council have received funds from the National Budget to ensure that systems and structures as maintained, the release stated.
However, the minister pointed out that all information garnered on the various issues will be forwarded to the respective subject ministers for immediate intervention.
The release quoted Cummings as further explaining that, “they may have monies to do work, but because of signatories, persons like the chairman outside, they can’t have work done to pay persons, and of course, they have other matters in irrigation, sanitation, health issues, solid waste; for the young people job opportunities and having play parks and we want to see how we can develop this community.”
The Minister’s meeting with the Mahaicony residents is one of many scheduled visits to various communities by government ministers. The intention is to meet persons in far flung communities along the coast and riverine areas, and to have first-hand interaction so as to more efficiently address issues at the community level.
