“We don’t look at how you voted”- Edghill on development works in Linden

…says Govt will continue to listen & respond to needs of everyone

Making it clear that the Government does not look at how people voted when developing their communities, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Sunday inspected works in Victory Valley, Linden (Region 10) that are a follow up on President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s visit to the community last year.
Victory Valley Hill, which is located in Section B Christiansburg, was one of the many places visited by President Ali in 2022. During that visit, residents had raised concerns about bridges in the community, among other things.

Out of all the concerns raised, nine contracts totaling over $80 Million were awarded in December. But despite contracts for the Victory Valley infrastructural works being signed publicly and in full transparency, Edghill lambasted the opposition for the narrative they have been pushing.
“I was very disappointed that when we left, someone who should have been bringing representation to the people of the valley, came into the valley and started spreading a message that was not development in nature. People’s lives should always be considered above politics. And I did say before, when we do work we don’t examine the ballot box. And how people vote. If we (did that) I probably wouldn’t be here.”
“But you know what we look for? Where people live. And the fact that you live in this valley, the President came and met you and you said you gotta fetch people on on your back when they want go to the hospital… government listens and responds because government cares,” Edghill said.

And responding to the oft repeated accusation from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) opposition that contracts are being given to “friends and family”, Edghill called a number of Victory Valley residents who received the contracts for the infrastructure works, to stand beside him.
“When somebody says something, you must be able to stand with some amount of credibility and scrutiny. And we must not make light of people’s lives and development. So, gentlemen, you are part of the PPP friends and family club. And we gon stay with you,” Edghill told the residents.
“The people in Den Amstel, that Minister Indar is working with to bring improvements in Den Amstel, they are our friends and family. The 25 contractors in Buxton, who I engaged just like I engaged you, to do 25 bridges in Buxton, they are our friends and family. So, our friends and family getting real real wide. And I welcome all our friends and family on board so we can work for the development of Guyana.”
Edghill meanwhile promised that they would return to the community after the 2023 budget is completed, to make further interventions. In fact, the Minister made it clear that these interventions would not be limited to the valley but would extend throughout Linden.
“It is clear that this is not the end of what needs to be done in the Valley. So, I will have my team from the Ministry of Public Works look and see how we can make an impact by making some more interventions and the comments I would have heard, concerning the waterflow and drainage.”