Prime Minister Mark Phillips has assured the residents of Region Two that government will continue to make the needed investments for their overall well-being and for the development of the country as a whole, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated yesterday.
Phillips, who was accompanied by the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, made these remarks at an outreach at Charity and villages along the Pomeroon River in Region Two yesterday, where he interacted with residents and listened to their concerns. He also promised action on several issues to alleviate their distress and took the opportunity to update residents on government’s development plans for the region.
During his first stop at the Charity Squatting area, the Prime Minister gave commitments to improving the roads and drainage infrastructure, and implementing street lights to improve security. He also inspected the ongoing works at a pump station that is being constructed in the area.
Phillips also sought to remind residents that the government is “people-oriented” and will continue to put the needed measures in place to support their development and growth.
“Since we took office in 2020, we have been fixing the issues of the citizens. You have a government that is committed to listening to you and that is why Minister Zulfikar and I are here. So, the engineers will come, and they will do their work and things will start to happen.”
While addressing farmers from Strong Hope Canal, Friendship Canal, and Hackney along the Pomeroon River, the Prime Minister highlighted the numerous developments and significant investments happening in the Lower Pomeroon River area.
“This year alone, we will spend $1 billion in the Lower Pomeroon. To date, we have spent $422.3 million in this area. And we have another $588.6 million in ongoing projects that are on target and will be completed before the end of this year.”
According to the release, many of these investments are directed towards boosting the agricultural activities within the riverain communities. As such, the Prime Minister asserted the government’s steadfast support in developing the Pomeroon River as the production site of the Essequibo region and encouraged the farmers to continue to plant their crops. He also mentioned the country’s massive agriculture drive and the important role that Guyana continues to play in promoting food security within the Caribbean Community.
Phillips also touched on Guyana’s drive to enhance its energy security and climate resilience which will employ the strategy of an energy mix which includes sustainable practices.
“In terms of energy security, we are earning money from oil and gas, and we are also utilising the money to bridge the energy divide. Climate security is another area; we must showcase to the world that we are a country that can have economic development while at the same time placing high emphasis on the conservation of our environment.”
