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Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) Amanza Walton-Desir and Maureen Philadelphia have vowed to ensure the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime is held accountable to improving the lives of Guyanese in Region Ten.
On Saturday, Walton-Desir and Philadelphia engaged residents of Sections ‘B’ and ‘C’ Christianburg, Wismar, Linden during an APNU/AFC Parliamentary outreach. There, the residents expressed their concerns about the adverse effects of flooding in their communities caused by a buildup of silt in the drains.
As a result, floodwaters are posing a threat to their health, causing erosion of the roads, and losses to kitchen garden crops and poultry in their community.
The residents also complained about insufficient maintenance to public infrastructure allegedly due to the current Administration’s refusal to renew the contracts of some 240 Community Infrastructure and Improvement Program employees in Linden for 2021.
In turn, Walton-Desir told the attendees that it is necessary for them to express their concerns as it will allow the Opposition to better represent them at the highest level of Government.
“Citizens play a critical role in giving us honest information on problems that affect their communities and impact their livelihoods, whether positively or negatively. This is not the last you will see of us. We will be engaging you and citizens in communities across Guyana so that we can listen to your concerns and work to have them addressed by the PPP/C administration,” she said.
The Parliamentarian continued: “The APNU/AFC will keep the PPP/C regime accountable to ensure you get what your tax paying dollars are intended to deliver [which is] the improvement of your infrastructural network of roads, drainage and irrigation, health, social services and agriculture.”
Meanwhile, residents also brought to the MPs’ attention the difficulty in accessing grants and loans to expand their small businesses. Philadelphia said that even while the residents seek to expand their businesses, they should not be daunted by belittling comments about “plantain chips and cook-up people”.
She told the residents of Christianburg that these are all Guyanese snacks that Guyanese consume which have the potential of becoming as widely distributed as well-knowns such as the Soldanza plantain chips.
“For those of you who have registered your businesses, you need to encourage others to get their businesses registered. Keep records of your sales, rental, and purchases. These measures allow you to access loans from the lending agencies and cash grants from the Government,” Philadelphia advised.
She added: “Borrowing or qualifying for grants gives you the opportunity to improve and expand your business operations by improving your stock, acquire improved machinery, and improve packaging and distribution. You all must fight back with your all for your development.”
During their visit, food Hampers were distributed to the vulnerable, elderly and shut-ins who were have not benefitted from the COVID-19 Cash Grant Disbursement in the Region.
The APNU/AFC Coalition has promised to take its outreach initiative to all ten Administrative Regions.
