Agri Minister promises immediate relief to drainage woes in Manchester, No 53 Village
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has promised to provide immediate relief to residents of Manchester and Number 53 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), to clear waterways.
He made the promises on Saturday during an outreach to the two communities.
Mustapha, who is also the regional parliamentary representative for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), met with residents of Manchester who complained bitterly about the drainage situation and the access to farmlands.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha meeting with residents of Manchester Village, Corentyne
“I have asked the engineer to go to Manchester and we will start immediately to desilt the internal drains and a major canal is at the back there, I asked the engineer to send a machine [excavator] there by Monday and he said it would take about two days to complete the work.
Residents also pointed out that the lack of job opportunities has affected the young people in the communities of Liverpool and Lancaster.
The Minister promised to return to Manchester shortly to make arrangements to meet with young persons who expressed a willingness to get involved in agriculture. He promised to put systems in place for them to grow high value crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
“You know the President would have set up that company where young people are shareholders; we said that we will replicate that in different parts of the country. So, I will be back in Manchester to launch that programme with young people so that we can have that programme in Manchester, Lancaster, and Liverpool,” Mustapha told reporters after his visit to the three communities on Saturday.
At Number 53 Village, however, residents complained of similar issues, and again, Mustapha promised immediate assistance. He also promised to construct culverts in the area.
Meanwhile, with Local Government Elections (LGE) a few weeks away, Mustapha took the opportunity to discuss the concerns of residents as they relate to development in their local community.
Accompanying him were candidates from the party contesting the June 12 LGE. Mustapha was pleased with the support the candidates received during their campaign.
