Govt focuses on transforming lives of Guyanese alongside economy – Min Rodrigues

…says Govt will continue to be open, accessible to the people

With the launching of the Girls Only Self Defence Programme at State House on Saturday, President Dr Irfaan Ali and members of his Cabinet were on hand to remind those gathered that his Government is focused on both the economic and personal development of citizens.

On Saturday, President Dr Irfaan Ali launched the Girls Only Self Defence programme which will run for one month and is open to girls between the ages of 11 and 18 years.
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues, who was present, reminded that the Government is not only interested in economic development but rather, the Government and particular, President Ali, places great emphasis on personal development as well.
“As President Ali and as the Government transforms Guyana, in terms of its infrastructure. As he beautifies Guyana, himself and the First Lady. As they transform the landscape of Guyana, we want to ensure there is a conscious leadership attached to that. And so, you would have heard and continue to hear (their advocacy).”
According to Rodrigues, the Government wants to transform lives and bring Guyanese of all ethnicities together. She noted that the country would have heard the President and First Lady be advocates for a range of issues from gender to animal rights
“Now you have a President that, yes is looking after the economy and at the same time, ensuring that every single man, woman, and child, is catered for. So that is the type of conscious leadership I’m referring to. As we transform the landscape of Guyana, we want to transform lives,” she said.
“We want to bring Guyanese together. We want to bring people of all ethnicities and classes, where you live, we want to bring people together. That is why you see and have access to all of us. You have access to the President. You have access to Cabinet members. We want to ensure the entire Government is open to you.”
The programme has so far attracted the participation of more than two hundred girls. One-hour classes will be held three times a week. A total of four instructors, including from the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation, will be present with the girls.
Since coming to office, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been on a whirlwind of outreaches where Cabinet Ministers go out into communities across the country to meet the people and hear their concerns.
In this year alone, the Government has held outreaches in several regions including Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
As recent as this month, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips led a ministerial outreach to the community of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, taking a new course of development and opportunities to residents.
The outreach saw scores of persons showing up, as Government Ministers tended to age-old issues, while announcing solutions and new interventions on the spot. Other issues at the NDC level were also ironed out by the Local Government Minister.
Any works to be done in the community were instructed to be awarded to registered companies in Buxton. Resources will be injected to clean up the area with enhancement workers from the community.
The Cabinet team included Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Attorney General Anil Nandlall; Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Sports Minister Charles Ramson, Housing Minster Collin Croal, Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond, Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall and Minister at the Office of the President Kwame Mc Coy.