Essequibo Coast youths told of important role in development
…urged to take up agriculture
Residents of Zorg Village, Essequibo Coast at the Youth Forum
Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva has told a gathering of youths at Zorg Village, Essequibo Coast that they have an important role to play in society in the region’s developmental process.
During a Youth Initiative Forum held at the Zorg playground on Monday, De Silva urged youths to grasp opportunities in the agriculture sector, and not to look at the sector in a negative manner.
She explained that a farmer is an entrepreneur, and can work at his or her own pace.
She also said that Government, through the Agriculture Ministry, is currently building an agro-processing facility to cater for value-added products. Further, she said there would be full cooperation from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) towards the enhancement projects at Zorg.
Tourism
Speaking on tourism within Region Two, she said proper garbage disposal is a major challenge to the region’s tourism product. Residents and the business community, she noted, must properly dispose of their garbage, and even minibus operators should always have garbage bags in their vehicles to facilitate passengers disposing of their refuse.
Because those measures are not being implemented, she noted, some delinquent persons throw their trash through the windows of minibuses and onto the roadway.
During the Forum, youths were offered opportunity to express their concerns, which led to a discussion on improving the village of Zorg by planting fruit trees along the parapet, placing benches under the trees, and painting the benches. The youths suggested the need for a seedling nursery, washroom facilities, and a structure for indoor games.
Noise nuisance, street lights
The issue of noise nuisance was also discussed at the Forum. Residents have since called for proper enforcement of control mechanisms to temper the level of noise nuisance in the village.
Additionally, the issue of the lack of lighting in the community was raised.
Among the officials who attended the Forum were Regional Executive Officer (REO) Daveanand Ramdatt; Regional Health Officer Dr. Ranjeev Singh, Regional Commander Crystal Robinson, members of the Essequibo Technical Institute, officials from the Education Department, and personnel from the Board of Industrial Training.
