“Leave distractors alone; we are here to build a stronger community” – Pres Ali tells Buxton

…as Govt to help develop 25 acres of land with smart agriculture
…residents call for factory, support for youth development

President Dr Irfaan Ali’s community meetings on Saturday took him to Buxton and Strathspey, where he listened to the concerns of the residents and in the case of the former, promised to help them develop 25 acres of land in the village with the use of smart agriculture.
Smart agriculture is the use of innovative practices and technology to maximise yields, whether they be vegetables, fruits or livestock. According to President Ali, the Government wants to not just deal with the short-term needs of residents, but their long term needs as well.
“It’s not only about the support we give to the children and women. Its not only about increasing salaries, pensions and because we care grant and the $100,000 grant. Those are important things, but it is also about how we can improve and expand opportunities all across the country. How we can build our competitiveness.”

“How we can create productive opportunities within communities. And today, as we are in your community, one of the things we want to engage you on is how we can use this opportunity to enhance and open up opportunities and creativity within the community,” President Ali said.
Meanwhile, drama would also unfold during the President’s visit to Buxton, when a villager began heckling and prompted other villagers to urge the person to be quiet. President Ali eventually intervened and urged the villagers to “leave the distractors alone.”
“In every society there are distractors. Just leave the distractors alone. Leave the distractor alone. We are here focusing on your development. We are here to focus on your community and how we can further build your community. One distractor cannot distract the will of the collective of all of us.”

President Ali, who was accompanied by Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues and head of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Dr Dwight Walrond, made it clear that the Government is prepared to help Buxton fulfill its agriculture potential.
“Your community is a farming community. Your community has strong and historical agricultural heritage. And today, I have with me for example Dr Walrond. We want our technical team to work with you and discuss with you how we can build these opportunities. How we can create these opportunities. How is it we can work with you on a community project,” the Head of State said.
“Involving young people. Involving women. Farming and agriculture have changed rapidly around the world. It is about innovation. Innovation is a big part of agriculture. And what we have to do, in this innovation, is to utilise less land to get even more production. So, we want to work with the community, the farmers, the agriculture group, the women and youth, to identify 25 acres of land which we can develop through innovative and smart agriculture.”

Pig farming
For instance, President Ali cited the potential for pig farming. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has been aiding pig farmers throughout the country, whether through the construction of a $600 million state of the art abattoir at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice (WCB), or even the supply of pigs and piglets to farmers. According to the President, the Government would help Buxton to significantly boost its production of pigs.
“We’re ready to work with your community, in making it one of the largest pig production areas. Because we want to expand that sector here in your community. So, these are the types of discussions we want to have with you… I’m here as part of our continuous community engagements across the country.”
When given a chance, residents meanwhile raised issues that ranged from the need for increased street lighting, to the need to upgrade the Company Road Primary school with one teacher raising concerns about overcrowding and substandard infrastructure. A call was also made for the Government to provide support to a Buxton youth club encountering hurdles using the facility of Tipperary Hall.
Abigail John, the owner of Buxtonian based Propa Local Wines, made an appeal for a factory to be built in Buxton that would not only boost the community’s ability to churn out value added produce, but also provide employment.
“Beside me is Dixie’s from Dixie’s Cream Liqueur. Both of us have been certified by the Bureau of Standards. We have at least 10 employees. Everyday people come to our establishment for employment.”
“We’re seeking a factory for Buxton, so we can employ more Buxtonians and grow our business more. We represent Guyana through all the regions. So that’s what we’re seeking, as well as a bill board,” John said.
Chairman of the Buxton/Friendship Grantee Co-Op Leroy Hamer meanwhile heaped praise on the Ministry of Agriculture and subject Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, for the work done on improving Drainage and Irrigation in the community.

Village economy
Hamer also called on the Government to send a team in to get an update on Buxton’s efforts to develop its village economy and chart a way forward. President Ali meanwhile assured the residents that their concerns, whether they relate to unemployment or land, will be addressed.
The President promised to help all willing youths with skills training and in the case of the construction industry, to connect them with jobs or even equipment to make blocks for the sector. In the case of land, the President pointed to Minister Rodrigues presence as the villagers’ cue to have their land queries addressed. (G3)