Dear Editor,
Residents of the Amerindian village of Santa Rosa, in the Moruca sub-region of Region One (Barima-Waini), are complaining that they do not have the services of a veterinarian, even though one is stationed at the Mabaruma sub-region.
I made contact with this veterinarian and asked him why he was not providing services to Santa Rosa village. His reply was that he does not have riverine transportation.
Can you imagine: a Government veterinarian in Region One does not have any means of river transportation? Then what purpose is he serving in Region One? I then tried, but was unsuccessful in, making contact with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Culbert Owen, who was at a meeting on Friday, August 18, 2017.
I wonder if Agriculture Minister Noel Holder receives updates or reports on the performance of hinterland agriculture, particularly where livestock development is concerned in Region One. But I am appealing to the Minister of Agriculture to investigate the operations of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) with the view that all veterinary doctors stationed in our hinterland region are provided with adequate means of transportation and a budget to do their work in the best interest of hinterland livestock development, which is sadly lacking. I was informed by Mabaruma residents that the only means of transportation the VET doctor has is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). Can this ATV take the doctor to the riverine communities of Port Kaituma, Moruca and other communities of Region One where his services are needed? Simply put, the GLDA, in its mission, has neglected the North-West Region.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Persaud
