Hours after being urged by the Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton during his Emancipation Day address to residents of New Amsterdam to be more equitable in the allocation of the country’s resources, President Ali visited Pigeon Island on the East Coast Demerara and launched an $80 million community development programme.
In his visit on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, the President told residents that they can soon look forward to major developments with the allocation of some $80 million for road works and other community enhancement projects. The allocation of $80 million to Pigeon Island by the president is commendable. However, when viewed as a whole, a question of fairness and equal treatment arrives.
On July 4, 2022, eight Government Ministers visited Buxton on what was dubbed “a massive outreach” to address various developmental issues affecting the community. At that meeting, which was led by Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, residents were assured that “Now is the time for development in Guyana, and Buxton will not be left out; no village will be left out” the Prime Minister stated.
However, one month later and about three follow-up visits by different Ministers have failed to see any of the promises made on July 4 being fulfilled. No financial aid was pledged to Buxton. Then on Saturday, July 3, 2022, Prime Minister Mark Phillips led a high-level government outreach to Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara at the Melanie Community Centre Ground.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that residents of Melanie Damishana can expect to benefit from a host of community improvement projects from Wednesday, August 3, 2022. The community was promised help in their garbage collection and clean-up exercise. Melanie was not promised any financial aid from the regime either.
Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton at a rally against crime and the rising cost of living last week, told thousands of supporters at Burnham Court, Georgetown that he cannot shake the hands of his oppressors. “You shake a hand when somebody is nice to you, you shake a hand when there is some amount of gratitude, you shake a hand when there is cordial and friendship, you do not shake the hands of those who seek to oppress you and I say that without fear of successful contradiction.”
Norton said the Opposition will be mobilizing itself more and will hit the ground to let people understand all that is happening around them. He has also promised a return to the picket line to bring more attention to the grievance of citizens.
More, In The Ring.
