By Mark DaCosta- Despite Guyana’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, large portions of our population are still grappling with poverty and severe social challenges. This paradox was starkly brought to light on February 15, when the Alliance For Change (AFC) continued its Listening & Grounding initiative in Bare Root, a village on the East Coast of Demerara. The AFC leadership, including Nigel Hughes and members of its youth arm, Youth For Change (YFC), witnessed first-hand the hardships faced by residents in one of the country’s most underserved areas.
According to a press statement by the party, during their visit, the AFC team was confronted by alarming levels of poverty. The community shared pressing concerns, which included a lack of basic infrastructure and essential services. Among the village’s most significant issues were the absence of a health centre, an alarming increase in adolescent drug use, deteriorating roads, insufficient drainage, and high rates of unemployment and underemployment. Residents also reported a lack of educational facilities, with no primary school and a nursery school in dire need of support. Furthermore, the village had no playing field, and many young people were dropping out of school due to the lack of opportunities.
Despite Guyana’s booming economy, which is touted as the highest in the world, the AFC expressed shock at the dire conditions faced by Bare Root’s residents. The party stated that the country’s leaders often promote the vision of a ‘Dubai of the Caribbean,’ but for many ordinary citizens, this rhetoric is far removed from their reality. In Bare Root, many families live in dilapidated housing, lacking basic sanitation, and struggling to meet even the most basic needs.
During the visit, AFC leader Nigel Hughes outlined several key priorities for the party should they gain power. He committed to addressing the most pressing concerns in Bare Root, including the establishment of a much-needed health centre. Additionally, he promised that the village would see the construction of both a new nursery and primary school. The AFC also pledged to identify a location for a playing field, an amenity that would provide much-needed recreational space for the community’s youth.
One of the most alarming issues raised was the community’s poor drainage systems, which have led to unsanitary living conditions and further exacerbated the health risks facing residents. The AFC team vowed to prioritise the upgrading of the drainage system to alleviate these concerns. Hughes also addressed the need for better access to employment opportunities, particularly in the country’s rapidly expanding oil and gas sector. He suggested that, to ensure young Guyanese are well-prepared for the industry, the government should offer stipends to individuals pursuing technical and vocational training.
This visit to Bare Root follows the AFC’s earlier outreach in Leopold Street, Georgetown, where they encountered similar living conditions. In response to the dire situation, the AFC provided food hampers to 25 families and initiated the clearing of a blocked sewage system in the area. The ongoing work aims to mitigate health risks by addressing the unsanitary conditions that have long plagued many neighbourhoods.
The AFC’s Listening & Grounding initiative is part of an ongoing effort to engage with communities across Guyana and identify the most pressing issues that need to be addressed. Despite the government’s promises of a ‘thriving economy,’ the reality for many citizens remains one of neglect and underdevelopment. According to recent reports, some 48 per cent of Guyana’s population lives in poverty, despite the country’s economic growth. This stark contrast is often attributed to mismanagement by the current administration, which critics say has failed to ensure that the benefits of the country’s oil wealth reach those who need it most.
In the weeks to come, the AFC has said that it intends to continue its outreach efforts, bringing attention to the concerns of communities like Bare Root and offering solutions that they believe will improve the lives of Guyanese citizens across the country. With promises of better infrastructure, education, and healthcare, the party is seeking to provide an alternative vision to the current People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s policies, hoping to create a more equitable society for all.
